Shear line agriculture damage reaches P234.78M, infra damage P1.137M —NDRRMC

The damage to agriculture due to the flooding and other effects of the shear line has reached P234.78 million, while the damage to infrastructure was pegged at P1.137 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Saturday.

In its 6 a.m. situation report, the NDRRMC said total agricultural damage was P234,781,657.42.

A total of 9,710.5 farmers and fisherfolk were affected — 2,518 in Region 5, four in Region 8, one in Region 9, and 7,187.5 in Region 10.

Meanwhile, 7,707.859 hectares of crops were damaged, of which 3,769.009 hectares are in Region 10.

The cost of damage to livestock, poultry and fisheries was pegged at P27,657,440.

Infrastructure damage meanwhile totaled P1,137,605, with breakdown as follows:

• Mimaropa: P4,170,000
• Region 5: P5,000,000
• Region 9: P7,200,000
• Region 10: P1,117,235,000
• Region 11: P4,000,000

The death toll remained at 46 as of Saturday, with 14 confirmed and 32 for validation.

Twelve individuals were reported injured, of which two were confirmed and 10 are up for validation.

The missing totaled 28, of which 9 were confirmed and 19 being validated.

Total affected families remained at 133,344 representing 517,845 persons.

The assistance extended to affected families so far reached P51,406,854.87 given by the Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units, Office of Civil Defense, other government agencies, NGOs and the Department of Health.

On Saturday the shear line will bring rains and thunderstorms to the eastern section of Southern Luzon while the northeast monsoon will be affecting Northern and Central Luzon, PAGASA reported.

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. might visit the areas in Visayas and Mindanao affected by the rains brought by the shear line since the Christmas weekend.

Marcos was asked Thursday if he would visit the areas after his state visit to China on January 3 to 5, 2023. He said he would try to make time to see them.

China meanwhile on Wednesday expressed sympathies to the victims of the recent flash floods in the Philippines and vowed to help, according to Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian. —KG, GMA Integrated News