MANILA, Philippines — An estimated P78 million in agricultural damage has been documented due to the effects of shear line in the regions of CARAGA and Davao, the National Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday.
The government agency reported that an estimated P64,069,839 worth of damage was recorded in the Davao Region, while P14,040,579.6 was documented in CARAGA.
A total of 6,375 farmers and fishermen have been affected by the inclement weather, following incidents of landslides and floods the shear line caused.
Approximately 8,300 hectares of land and fishponds are reported to have been damaged by the shear line, some of which are partially or completely destroyed.
Total damage to infrastructure, meanwhile, is reported to be at P27,050,000, according to the NDRRMC.
Nine local government units (LGUs) have been placed under a state of calamity due to the inclement weather.
This triggers the implementation of automatic price freeze on essential commodities.
On Monday, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said that its regional offices in Region 11 and Region 13 are coordinating with the LGUs to aid the farmers and fishermen.
The DA said that assistance of P18.50 million worth of rice, corn and assorted vegetable seeds and a “Quick Response Fund” are available for the affected areas.
More affected individuals
According to the latest report from NDRRMC, a total of 768,387 individuals have been affected by the shear line since January 14.
An estimated 2,770 individuals are currently staying in evacuation centers while 16,636 are outside evacuation centers.
The reported casualties, meanwhile, have not yet increased since Monday.
Fifty LGUs in the affected regions have suspended classes, while 31 LGUs declared work suspensions.
In response, assistance amounting to P62.57 million has been provided to the mentioned areas in the form of medicine, family food packs, hygiene kits and many others.