The Department of Agriculture has recorded around P1.1 billion worth of damage because of Super Typhoon ''Rolly''.

"As of today this morning the initial estimated damages and losses is totaling 1.1 billion pesos which has been brought about by Typhoon 'Rolly' earlier Typhoon 'Quinta' brought damages to almost two billion pesos," Agriculture Secretary William Dar told the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) Monday.

"Most of the commodities that have been badly damaged are rice, corn high value crops during this Typhoon 'Rolly', with almost 20,000 hectares and about 20,000 farmers as well has been affected and that is leading to 1.1 billion of total damage during this Typhoon 'Rolly'," he added.

Dar also emphasized the importance of the early advisory issued by the Department of Agriculture.

"Due to the early advisory of DA, a total of 242,638 hectares of rice has been saved from Regions I, II, III, IV-A, and V with an equivalent production of 1,071,344 metric tons amounting to P 16.96 billion," he said.

"As for corn, a total of 11,132 hectares have been saved from Regions I, II, V, and VIII with an equivalent production of 45,703 metric tons amounting to P 579 million," he added.

Amid the devastation brought by ''Quinta'' and ''Rolly'', Dar assures affected farmers and fishers that the DA has available assistance.

Dar said these are "a total of 133,326 bags of rice seeds; 17,545 bags of corn seeds, and 1,980 kgs of assorted vegetables from DA RFOs, Drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry; Quick Response Fund amounting to P 400 million for the rehabilitation of areas to be affected by the typhoon; Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC); and Indemnification fund from Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) to pay for the losses incurred."

"The Department is in close coordination with concerned NGAs, LGUs and other DRRM-related offices for the impact of Typhoon Rolly and available resources for interventions and assistance; as well as with water management-related agencies for flood risk monitoring and dam water release," he said.

"Close monitoring is also ongoing for possible damage and losses that may be incurred in the agri-fisheries sector," he added. Robina Asido/DMS