LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Gov. Amado T. Espino Jr. has ordered the immediate preparation of measures to provide immediate assistance to farmers and fishermen whose crops and livelihood were destroyed by floods spawned by typhoon “Pepeng” and massive release of waters from the San Roque Dam.

“Ayon po sa ating governor, 80 percent of our farmers are affected,” Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay Moya said during the Talakayan sa Kapitolyo at the conference room of Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council (PDCC).

The governor instructed Moya to make free dispersal of fingerlings to communal bodies of water.

“Meron pong instruction ang ating governor na yung fingerling production ng ating Libsong Fish Farm at San Quintin Freshwater Hatchery ay idi-disperse for free sa ating communal bodies of water,” Moya said.

Moya added that the two fish farms produce 100,000 fingerlings a month.

For vegetable growers, the provincial agriculturist recommended the distribution of short-gestation seeds to prevent shortfalls on food production.

“We will be recommending provision of vegetable seeds na madaling pakinabangan ng ating mga kababayan,” Dalisay said.

Dalisay said that OPAG is closely coordinating with the Department of Agriculture (DA) for the provision of seeds to rice farmers so that they will be able to get back on their feet and plant anew for the second cropping.

OPAG is also tapping the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) to fast-track aid for fisher folks.

“We will be coordinating with the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources para kung ano yung maitulong nila sa ating mga fishers ay sana makarating ng maaga sa affected fisherfolks,” she said.

She added that they are also negotiating with various government lending institutions to provide farmers and fishermen with easy access to lending programs.

Damage to agriculture is estimated at P4.18 billion.

Rice crops, either nearing reproductive or maturing stage, suffered the most with P2.82-billion losses and an affected area of 90,615.64 hectares.

Aquaculture or fishery came in second, posting an estimated value of production loss of P997 million and an affected area of 7,639.57 hectares.

Around 7,439,400 kilograms valued at P296 million of high-value commercial crops (HVCC) consisting mostly of mango, eggplant, amplaya, tomato, sitao, squash, okra, pechay, patola, upo, peanut, finger pepper, assorted veggies, mungbean, and watermelon were lost at 3,607 hectares.

The livestock and poultry sector lost a total of P47 million with the death or loss of about 11,606 head of livestock (carabao, cattle, duck, goat, horse and swine) and 38,051 head of poultry.