Agriculture damage due to magnitude 6.8 quake reaches P7.25 million

MANILA, Philippines — The magnitude 6.8 earthquake that struck parts of Soccsksargen on Nov. 17 has caused damage to agriculture amounting to P7.25 million.

Latest data from the Department of Agriculture (DA) said 120 farmers and fisherfolk in the region were affected by the quake.

Production losses were placed at 168 metric tons, with 81 hectares of agricultural land affected.

The DA said damage to corn reached P1.12 million; high-value crops, P4.02 million; fisheries, P2.06 million, and livestock and poultry, P36,500.

“With some highways being reopened by local government units (LGUs), transport of food and agricultural commodities is unhampered,” the department said.

The DA gave assurance that it is coordinating with concerned LGUs to determine the impact of the quake.

It gave assurance that resources are available to provide assistance to affected communities.

An aftershock of the strong quake with a magnitude of 4.6 hit off Balut Island yesterday, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs).

The quake was felt at Intensity 3 in General Santos City, Polomolok and Lake Sebu in South Cotabato as well as Malapatan, Sarangani and Koronadal City. The same intensity was felt in Matanao, Malalag, Sulop, Kiblawan, Magsaysay and Bansalan in Davao del Sur.

Phivolcs said 120 aftershocks have been recorded since the quake struck.