‘Ineng’ damage to agriculture, infra hits P2.6 B

MANILA, Philippines - The amount of damage to agriculture and infrastructure caused by Typhoon Ineng has hit P2.6 billion while the death toll climbed to 31, authorities said yesterday.

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said most of the damage was recorded in Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon and the Cordilleras.

Officials said Ineng destroyed P1.42 billion worth of infrastructure, P1.23 billion of agricultural crops and P29.7 million worth of other properties such as agricultural lands and power posts.

At least 5,742 houses in Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan) and the Cordilleras were destroyed by the typhoon. 

Among the 31 fatalities in the typhoon were Rocky Mangrubang and Ronald Angel, both 19 years old, whose bodies were recovered under a landslide in Mankayan, Benguet on Aug. 31.

The NDRRMC said nine persons remain missing.

A total of 318,359 individuals or 71,955 families were evacuated in six regions. Of this number, 11,915 persons or 2,966 families are still in evacuation centers. 

Local governments in five provinces and four towns have declared a state of calamity. Among these areas were Abra, Ilocos Norte, Benguet, Apayao and Mountain Province and the towns of Sta. Praxedes, Cagayan, Balbalan and Kalinga.

The declaration of a state of calamity allows local government units to use their calamity funds to assist their affected constituents.