Lawin damage to agri hits P10.2 B

MANILA, Philippines – The amount of damage to agriculture from Typhoon Lawin has reached P10.2 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) reported over the weekend.

The P10.2-billion damage included some 467,068 hectares of agricultural lands, with an estimated production loss of 244,224 metric tons (MT).

Affected commodities are rice, corn, cassava and vegetables as well as the fishery and livestock sectors.

More than 70,000 farmers in the regions of Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon and Bicol are reeling from the devastations brought by Lawin.

The amount of damage to rice crops reached P7.8 billion or 219,323 MT in production losses.

Some 404,752 hectares of rice paddies were destroyed, although authorities said 249,157 hectares of which have a chance of recovering.

A majority of rice losses were reported in Cagayan Valley with a total of P4.3 billion.

The amount of damage to vegetables was placed at P1.7 billion or equivalent to 18,928 MT of produce.

At least 30,500 hectares of vegetable farms have been destroyed, 5,483 hectares of which may still recover.

Losses on corn crops reached P602 million or 5,739 MT of produce from 28,741 hectares.

Of the total area, 5,223 hectares may still recover.

 Damage to fishery sector was reported at P85.8 million, while the livestock sub-sector incurred P6.6 million in losses.

The DA is preparing its resources to replace damage crops as early as possible s it reminded affected farmers to acquire certifications from municipal agriculturists for them to receive replacement seeds.

MMDA helps in road clearing

Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) deployed 60 personnel to help in the clearing operations in typhoon-devastated areas in the Cordilleras.

The MMDA contingent, which is part of the Mercy Mission Task Force Lawin, brought chainsaws and rescue and emergency vehicles to clear the roads of trees and debris.

The deployment was in response to a request of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) and will augment the contingent from the Office of the Civil Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Joint Task Force.

The NDRRMC said eight persons were confirmed dead in the onslaught of Lawin and 16 others are still being verified.

State of calamity

The province of Cagayan has been placed under a state of calamity due to the damage it suffered from Lawin.

Gov. Manuel Mamba on Friday signed Executive Order No. 08, declaring a state of calamity and authorizing the local government to release funds to assist the typhoon victims.

Earlier, the provincial disaster risk reduction and management council (PDRRMC) submitted a resolution to the Sanguniang Panlalawigan, seeking the declaration of a state of calamity.

Mamba said the Sanguniang Panlalawigan has yet to act on the resolution.

A damage assessment report released by the PDRRMC on Friday showed Lawin affected 74,672 families, destroyed 44,000 houses, left four persons dead and 15,000 others injured in Cagayan alone.

The PDRRMC placed the damage to infrastructure at more than P700 million, including irrigation facilities.

Damage to crops such as rice, corn and fruits as well as fishery products was placed at more than P5 billion.

Classes suspended

The provincial government suspended classes in all levels starting today until further notice.

Provincial information officer Rogelio Sending said the class suspension would give the students a chance to help in the rehabilitation efforts in their communities.

Sending said the class suspension was also meant to ensure public safety as transportation is scarce due to damaged roads and bridges. – With Cecille Suerte Felipe, Paolo Romero, Perseus Echeminada, Victor Martin, Raymund Catindig