COA Flags DA Over Delayed Agricultural Aid for Kristine Victims
AGRICULTURAL AID – Months after Severe Tropical Storm Kristine struck, some farmers were still waiting for agricultural aid that had been procured specifically to support their recovery.
The Commission on Audit (COA) has raised concerns over the Department of Agriculture’s (DA) delayed distribution of agricultural assistance intended for farmers affected by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine and other weather disturbances in 2024.
In its 2025 annual audit report, COA found that the DA’s Regional Field Office V (RFO V) in the Bicol Region did not distribute several agricultural inputs within the expected period. The assistance was funded through the agency’s Quick Response Fund (QRF) and was meant for beneficiaries covered by the Rice, Corn and High Value Crops Programs.
According to state auditors, a review of the QRF implementation showed that many of the procured agricultural supplies had already been delivered or were awaiting delivery and distribution. However, several items still had no recorded physical accomplishment by the end of the year.
“Despite the procurement and delivery of various agricultural inputs, most items remained undistributed as of year-end, with several already delivered to RFO V or for delivery/distribution, yet reflected zero physical accomplishment, indicating delays in the actual distribution to intended beneficiaries,” COA said.
The QRF was specifically established to assist the effects of Typhoons Kristine and Pepito, as well as Tropical Depression Crising.
COA also pointed out that months had already passed since the affected farmers were identified, yet a considerable amount of assistance had not reached its intended recipients.
“Despite the lapse of several months and the prior identification of affected beneficiaries, a significant portion of inputs remained undistributed as of year-end, indicating undue delays in the provision of assistance,” COA said.
RFO V explained that one factor behind the distribution schedule was its effort to synchronize the release of agricultural inputs with the planting calendar. The regional office argued that the circumstances did not amount to an actual delay.
COA, however, disagreed, emphasizing that such an approach was inconsistent with the purpose of the QRF.
“While the Audit Team acknowledges the justification of Management, the delay in distribution to aid various farmers after a calamity is not aligned with the very concept of the QRF, which is to help normalize a community’s situation after a disaster by providing immediate assistance to those affected by calamities,” COA said.
Among the undistributed rice-related supplies were 15,000 bags of hybrid palay seeds, 45,000 liters of inorganic foliar fertilizer, and 15,000 packs of inorganic foliar fertilizer. For corn beneficiaries, the office also had 1,710 liters of herbicide, 1,710 kilograms of complete fertilizer, and 1,140 liters of pesticide that remained undistributed.
Kristine caused severe flooding and heavy rainfall in October 2024, affecting more than 7 million people and leaving 139 casualties, according to disaster officials. The series of storms later that year also resulted in an estimated P7.039 billion in agricultural damage and losses nationwide.
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