Strawberry farm, other crops flooded in La Trinidad

The famed Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, Benguet, was submerged in water as floods hit parts of the province due to inclement weather. 

According to Tina Panganiban-Perez’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, several crops of strawberries, lettuce, and cabbage were affected. 

Farmers said that some of the crops were just planted recently in preparation for December’s harvest. 

Meanwhile, residents of Sitio Bayabas in La Trinidad were surprised by the muddy floodwaters that rushed from the mountain top amid the heavy downpour on Sunday. Although the floodwaters entered through the houses, no one was reported injured, the report added. 

The streets of Poblacion Buyagan, on the other hand, instantly became like a river because of the rain. 

In Mountain Province, a massive rockslide caused the temporary closure of the Barlig-Natonin National Road. 

Furthermore, responders evacuated several residents in Zamboanga City due to waist-deep floods. Around 300 families were affected, the local government said. 

“There was a section of the wall that divided ‘yung subdivision. Nag-breach ng malakas na tubig so, pumasok sa subdivision,” said Elmier Apolinario, Zamboanga City DRRMO chief. 

(There was a section of the wall that divided the subdivision. It was breached by the strong water, so the water entered the subdivision.) 

The inclement weather being experienced in parts of the country is due to the low-pressure area, Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, and the localized thunderstorms, said state weather bureau PAGASA. –Vince Angelo Ferreras/NB, GMA Integrated News