By SAMANTHA GAMBOT
www.nordis.net
BAGUIO CITY—Each year, farmers like Aldrin Vigan experience the grim realities of damaged and withered crops and market uncertainties after each storm. Even when vegetables make it to market, poor quality often results in wastage or low prices. Still, they try.
“As long as we can just cover our capital,” he said in Tagalog.
Meanwhile, vendors like Regine Ambros struggle with poor-quality produce, particularly leafy greens. “You can’t always expect the quality to be good… leafy greens often arrive wilted,” she shared.
Ambros explained that this affects sales. The limited supply of good fresh vegetables also drives the price up, making it less accessible to consumers.
Since July, consecutive typhoons and extreme weather conditions have affected almost 13,000 hectares and 27,000 farmers in the Cordillera region. The Department of Agriculture Cordillera recorded more than P743 million in losses from Typhoons Carina to Ofel and the enhanced southwest monsoon.
These include almost 32,000 metric tons of rice and corn, high-value crops worth P698 million, more than 5,000 livestock valued at almost P12 million, and infrastructure loss exceeding P33 million.
According to government statistics, the Cordillera is the top producer of temperate vegetables. In 2023, the region produced 72% of the country’s broccoli supply, 76% of cabbage, 82% of potatoes, 87% of Chinese pechay, and 88% of carrots.
While a significant population in the region depends on agriculture, CAR’s latest Economic Performance report noted that despite this reliance, the agricultural sector only contributes 7.7% to the regional economy.
The region’s susceptibility to typhoons, intensified by its location along the typhoon belt, and its mountainous terrain and steep slopes, which increase the risks of landslides and flash floods, make it highly vulnerable to natural disasters.
A study by the Asian Development Bank noted that farmlands are often buried under debris after heavy rains. Recent reports in key farming areas like Benguet, Atok, and Buguias underscore this finding.
Government response
DA has taken action to aid farmers through logistics support, weather advisories, crop and price monitoring, supply prepositioning, and coordination with local offices for damage assessment.
The DA-CAR emphasized the importance of submitting timely and accurate damage reports. Their Facebook post urged farmers in the region to “report any damages and losses you have incurred to your respective Barangay, Municipal, or Provincial Local Government Units.” They noted that these reports are crucial for monitoring and providing the “necessary assistance” to needy farmers.
The office also posted regular farm updates on its social media pages, submitted situational reports, and secured facilities to mitigate weather impacts. It has also advised farmers to monitor weather updates, secure crops, relocate equipment and livestock, and clear drainage systems to mitigate weather-related risks and protect agricultural livelihoods.
Farmers affected by the typhoons can access financial assistance, such as the PHP 25,000 Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program, which offers zero interest and a three-year repayment period. DA-CAR also shared that insured farmers may qualify for compensation through the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC).
The Asian Development Bank highlights that sustainable livelihoods require collaborative efforts across sectors to reduce vulnerabilities. Policies and institutions, including government and private sector organizations, are critical for transforming vulnerability into resilience to ensure that agriculture-based livelihoods are not lost with each passing storm.
Adapting Philippine Agriculture to Climate Change hopes to achieve this. The project, financed under the Green Climate Fund and implemented by the DA project in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization and PAGASA, aims to strengthen the region’s climate resilience by 2025.
Long-term solutions
Aside from the increasing losses from extreme climate conditions, farmers in the region also have to contend with other issues, including importation and rampant smuggling of temperate vegetables. They are also excluded from some government assistance, like the 2022 fuel subsidy, to ease farmers’ expenses.
Farmers group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) underscored that farmers and fishers are always the hardest hit by climate disasters, “yet they are left with empty promises and token relief.”
“The Marcos Jr. regime cannot masquerade as a ‘climate champion’ while ignoring its duty to ensure disaster preparedness and post-calamity aid and compensation,” KMP chair Danilo Ramos said.
Meanwhile, groups like the Cordillera Peoples Alliance said that while the government’s immediate assistance programs provide crucial relief, long-term resilience will depend on adopting sustainable farming practices, improving infrastructure, and changing policy direction. The group said government efforts would fall short without ensuring pro-centered measures. They called on authorities to prioritize sustainable climate adaptation over large-scale mining and energy projects that harm the environment.
“Enough with glorifying the Filipino resilience to cover-up state neglect… It is time for us to call for just compensation and comprehensive, pro-people climate adaptation and mitigation programs instead of capitalist-driven mining and renewable energy projects disguised as development,” CPA said. # nordis.net
*Samantha Sheen R. Gambot, 20, is a Broadcast Journalism student at the University of the Philippines Baguio.