Typhoon-hit Quezon province needs massive replanting program, governor says

Quezon governor Danilo Suarez on Thursday said the province needs a massive replanting program as its agriculture sector was severely damaged by the previous typhoons, especially super typhoon Rolly and typhoon Ulysses.

At a Laging Handa press briefing, Suarez said the damage in agriculture and infrastructure brought by the typhoons already reached P3,549,675,000.

He specifically mentioned that the province's banana industry was adversely destroyed by the storms.

"Kung maaari sana 'yung intervention na masabi sa gobyerno ay 'yun munang kailangang-kailangan ngayon. Sa pagtama ng bagyo, Quezon being agricultural, naubos ang aming banana industry. It will take a year and eight months bago ito ulit tumubo at kung nakaligtas man kami kay Ofel at Pepito, dito kay Rolly at Ulysses, tumumba na pati mga niyog namin," Suarez said.

"We need a massive replanting program and at the same time, take advantage 'yung aming program na intercropping na medyo nagkaroon din ng kaunting damage but manageable," he added.

Quezon was among the provinces pounded by the typhoons that crossed Luzon in the previous weeks, bringing massive floods in certain areas.

President Rodrigo Duterte already placed the entire Luzon under state of calamity following the onslaught of the typhoons.—AOL, GMA News