CAGAYAN VALLEY, Philippines – The Department of Agriculture – Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (DA-BFAR) Region 02 joined forces with the Cagayan Valley Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in a five-day Post-Disaster Needs Assessment of typhoon-affected areas in Region 2 last January 27 – January 31, 2025 in separate venues.

The activity aimed to evaluate the damages and losses incurred during the onslaught of typhoons Julian, Kristine, Leon, Marce, Nika, Ofel, and Pepito in the provinces of Cagayan and Nueva Vizcaya, as well as to determine the government’s appropriate intervention to typhoon-affected fisherfolk.

The team was divided into two groups to facilitate evaluation of adversely affected areas. The first team visited the municipalities of Abulug, Pamplona, Claveria, and Sanchez Mira in Cagayan, while the second team went to Gonzaga, Sta. Ana, Aparri, and Baggao for validation activities.

Further, the assessment focused on verifying the accuracy of reported damages and losses, particularly in aquaculture operations such as fishpond and fish cage culture. It also studied damages to essential fishing equipment, including boats, fishing gear, boat engines, and fish cage structures. Additionally, damages in structures such as damage to Community Fish Landing Centers (CFLCs) and fish trading facilities and equipment were assessed.

The DA-BFAR Region 02 was represented by Cheyserr Garcia, Officer-in-Charge of the Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation Unit (PMEU), with Sophia Lei Manzano, PMEU staff. Also present in the activity were representatives from the Provincial Fishery Office of Cagayan were Dennis Julian and Shanen Manegdeg, while Mark Licos and Khria Romero of the Provincial Fishery Office of Nueva Vizcaya.

A post-disaster assessment is scheduled in the province of Batanes this February, followed by the PDNA writeshop also this month. (SL Manzano)