'Labuyo' destroys P11-M crops in Cordillera

LA Trinidad, Benguet - At least P11 million worth of crops were damaged in the onslaught of Typhoon "Labuyo " in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Alex Uy, acting head of the Office of Civil Defense in CAR, said the amount includes P4.2 million worth of high-value crops like highland vegetables, P5.3 million worth of corn products and P1.7 million worth of rice.

Agot Balanoy of the Benguet Vegetable Cooperative, meanwhile, said that crops in the "Vegetable Belt" in northern Benguet were somehow spared from the typhoon's wrath because they recorded only minimal damage.

Uy said that the valuation on the damages on infrastructure has yet to be assessed as reported fatalities since Monday have not risen to one –  22 year old Jomar Salicon (earlier reported as Joemar Salicong) who was buried by rampaging mud Monday morning while clearing debris along a canal in Tuba, Benguet.

He also reported that a total of six people were injured during the typhoon’s onslaught, including 51-year-old John Pateyec who was rushed to the hospital in Ifugao after being recovered from a landslide that struck in Barangay Gumhang, Tinoc town. 

The other injured victims were Gilber Lara, 25, who was hit by a fallen tree branch in Alfonso Lista town; Chito Carillo, 42, also hit by a fallen tree branch in Kiangan, also in Ifugao; Abuel Atayan, 33, hit by a falling rock in Bakakeng Central, in Baguio City; Kurt Vincent Balancio, 18, also hit by a fallen tree branch; Kimberly Osias, 15, who was rescued from a landslide in Barangay Irisan, Baguio City.

Uy reported that all major roads leading to Cordillera have been cleared of debris and are now passable to all types of vehicles.

He also reported that all of the residents who fled to evacuation centers have already returned to their homes.