MANILA, Nov. 19 -- The Department of Agriculture (DA), through the Philippine Fiber Industry Development Authority (PhilFIDA), has partnered with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) to speed up the rehabilitation initiative in the Bicol Region after Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-wong) devastated 55,198 hectares of abaca farms.

"In all, the typhoon wiped out an estimated 7,492.90 metric tons of fiber valued at more than PHP38 million. For many farmers still clawing back from the impacts of last year's Typhoons Pepito and Kristine, the destruction was a crushing setback," the DA said in a news release Wednesday.

PhilFIDA's latest Crop Damage Report showed the extent of the destruction, with 1,402 hectares slightly ...