Preliminary estimates place typhoon damage to agri sector at P2.3B 

The agriculture sector likely sustained as much as P2.324 billion worth of damage from torrential rains and strong winds brought by Typhoon Glenda (Rammasun), with the fisheries subsector taking the biggest hit, initial estimates by the Department of Agriculture (DA) showed Thursday.

 

Typhoon Glenda mainly hit 15 provinces in Regions 3, 4A, 5 and 8, Agriculture Information Service director Dennis Arpia said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

 

Quezon province, Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Bicol region in southern Luzon and Biliran, Leyte, Southern Leyte, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar and Samar in eastern Visayas were among the hardest hit, according to the department.

 

"Ang estimated losses ng agriculture sector ay P2.324 billion," Arpia said.

 

"As we go along, we'll get validation and more details, pero 'di na nalalayo sa figure na 'yan ang overall damage," he added.

 

The fisheries sector incurred huge losses estimated at P810 million.

 

"Nasa Southern Luzon ang pinakamalaking lawa natin na Laguna de Bay at ang baybayin ng Manila Bay at Mindoro, na nadaanan ni Glenda," Arpia said.

 

Losses in the rice subsector is estimated to reach P512 million, as Typhoon Glenda damaged 43,500 hectares of rice fields.

 

"Mahigit kalahati ng natamaan ay puwede pang ma-recover," Arpia noted.

 

High-value crops like vegetables are estimated to have sustained P481 million worth of damage, with over 4,600 hectares raked by Typhoon Glenda.

 

Arpia said only about 1,250 hectares have a chance to recover. "Since these are vegetables, mahirap na may ma-recover," he said.

 

About 22,267 hectares of corn fields were hit by the typhoon and the subsector may have lost P361.6 million, DA data showed.

 

Livestock and infrastructure under DA management is estimated to have incurred losses of about P500,000 and P123 million, respectively.

 

Losses incurred by the coconut industry in Eastern Visayas are not yet in as the Philippine Coconut Authority has yet to make its report, Arpia said. – VS, GMA News