Manila, May 2 -- The El Nino phenomenon has so far caused an estimated PHP5.9 billion in damage to Philippine agriculture, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Thursday.

"Iyong latest damage natin as of end of April per Bulletin No. 9 ng DA, ang damage is already PHP5.9 billion, pinakamalaki pa rin is sa rice sector (As per Bulletin No. 9, the damage is already at PHP5.9 billion as of end of April, with the rice sector incurring the biggest damage) at PHP3.1 billion," DA Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said in an interview.

This was followed by production loss in corn worth PHP1.76 billion and high-value crops pegged at PHP958 million.

De Mesa said the Mimaropa region remained as the most affected area in the country at PHP1.71...