BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Agriculture– Cordillera Administrative Region (DA-CAR) on Tuesday advised farmers in the region to report weather-related damages to their crops, farms and equipment to allow the government to assess the needed assistance.
“Please let us know of your situation so that we can immediately make the appropriate action, especially in assisting to the recovery effort if you incurred damage,” lawyer Jennilyn Dawayan, DA-CAR executive director, said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.
The farmers can submit their reports to the barangay agriculture extension worker or their respective Municipal Agriculture Office.
Farmers, livestock raisers and others in the sector are asked to provide information such as the location of the farm, the kind of crop planted, land area, stage of the crop or fruits, the affected area, the animal being raised, number of heads and stage or age of the affected animals, type of machinery damaged, extent of damage, and estimated cost of damage.
The information must be accompanied by photos with watermark bearing the name of the person for easy identification.
“They have to state their Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture (RSBSA) number so that they can be assisted,” Dawayan said.
The DA has repeatedly reiterated the need for farmers to be registered with the RSBSA, a primary requirement in availing of government assistance.
The RSBSA allows the government to see actual data or number that will guide it in making decisions regarding the agriculture industry in the country.
Dawayan urged the farmers to submit their reports as early as possible to allow the DA to immediately make the necessary recommendation for assistance. **Liza Agoot
