Fabian agriculture damage soars to P285.7 million

MANILA, Philippines — Damage to agriculture due to Typhoon Fabian and the southwest monsoon has reached P285.73 million, data from the Department of Agriculture (DA)’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation Center showed.

In its 5 p.m. bulletin on Monday, the DA said 11,898 farmers and 16,336 hectares of agricultural areas were affected in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Bicol and Mimaropa. Production loss was placed at 5,113 metric tons (MT).

”Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops and livestock,” the DA said.

Rice accounted for 89.5 percent of the damage or 15,902 hectares with volume loss of 4,022 MT valued at P255.8 million.

Ninety-seven heads of swine, ducks and chicken valued at P287,600 were affected.

The agency reported that 2,398 hectares of rice, with volume production of 12,649 MT amounting to P227.94 million were harvested prior to the onslaught of the typhoon in Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon and Central Luzon.

The DA said the figures are subject to validation.

The agency is offering financial and other forms of assistance to farmers and fisherfolk affected by the typhoon.

228,872 people affected

The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 57, 037 families or 228,872 people have been affected by the typhoon.

The NDRRMC said these people are from 591 barangays in the Cordilleras, Calabarzon, Metro Manila, Mimaropa and Western Visayas.

At least 26,598 people or 7,431 families remain in 319 evacuation centers.

The death toll remains at three, six were injured and one was reported missing.

Damage to infrastructure in Ilocos, Mimaropa and Western Visayas was initially placed at P2.4 million.

5 roads still not passable

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said 21 sections of major roads that were closed due to landslides, damage and flooding have been reopened, but five in the Cordilleras, Central Luzon and Mimaropa remain impassable to motorists.

As of Monday, the DPWH said portions of the Baguio-Bontoc Road in  Sabangan, Mountain Province; Abra-Kalinga Road in Malibcong, Abra; Abra-Ilocos Norte Road in Nagaparan in Danglas; Junction Layac Balanga Mariveles Port Road Zigzag Section in Bataan, and Mindoro West Coastal Road in Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro were closed to all types of vehicles.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration said monsoon rains would continue in various parts of the country until Friday. – Michael Punongbayan, Ric Sapnu, Jose Rodel Clapano