Agri damage due to Habagat, Egay, Falcon hits P2.9 billion –NDRRMC

Agriculture sector damage and losses due to the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) enhanced by Typhoons Egay and Falcon reached an estimated P2.9 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Sunday.

Based on the NDRRMC’s latest situational report, the Department of Agriculture recorded P2,944,689,603.82 in production loss or cost of damage in the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Western Visayas, Bangsamoro Region, and Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

At least 108,729 fisherfolk and farmers were also affected by the damage to 153,268.39 hectares of crop area.

While 132,074.62 hectares were partially damaged and still have a chance at recovery, 20,104.44 hectares were totally damaged and no longer had a chance at recovery.

The National Irrigation Administration, meanwhile, posted a P137,781,000 cost of damage in Mimaropa and CAR.

The inclement weather also damaged 573 structures, amounting to P3,631,012,164.44 in infrastructure damage.

CAR logged the highest amount of infrastructure damage involving 347 structures at P2,261,635,339.74.

The reported casualties remained at 29, two of whom were confirmed. There were also 11 more people reported missing, while 165 were injured.

Typhoons Egay and Falcon and the Habagat also affected 3,032,077 people or 806,836 families in 4,833 barangays nationwide.

There were 648 evacuation centers that catered to over 51,000 displaced individuals or 13,000 families, while more than 233,000 people or 57,000 families stayed outside of evacuation centers.

The NDRRMC recorded 60,991 houses damaged due to the weather disturbances. Of these houses, 58,610 were partially damaged, and 2,381 were totally damaged.

There were 62 roads and four bridges that were also still not passable.

The NDRRMC added that P269,448,936.61 in assistance had been provided to affected regions. — DVM, GMA Integrated News