Agri damage due to Kristine, Leon now nearly P6 billion —NDRRMC

The damage to agriculture due to tropical cyclones Kristine and Leon increased to nearly P6 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Monday.

In its 8 a.m. report, the NDRRMC said a total of P5,913,505,507 worth of damage was reported to agriculture after the weather disturbances affected 111,411 farmers and fisherfolks with a total of 92,892 hectares of crops.

For infrastructures, damage worth P7,450,162,651 was also reported.

In a Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon interview, DA spokesperson Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa said that the rice subsector accounted for the majority of the agricultural loss, amounting to P4.2 billion. 

The high value commercial crops also incurred a P800-million worth of damage.

“Pinakamalaking damage ang nareport sa Bicol Region at P2.9 billion. Pinakamalaki sa Camarines Sur at P1.3 billion. Sunod ang Mimaropa at P750 million, ganun din dito sa bandang Cagayan Valley at P620 million,” De Mesa said.

(The biggest damage was reported in the Bicol Region at P2.9 billion. Camarines Sur had a P1.3 billion damage. This was followed by Mimaropa at P750 million, and Cagayan Valley at P620 million.)

He said DA has allocated P541.02 million worth of agricultural inputs, such as rice, corn, and vegetable seeds; as well as drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry for distribution in affected areas.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC) is also offering an indemnification to insured affected farmers.

There is also a P500 million available for the Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program of the Agricultural Credit Policy Council (ACPC) with up to P5,000 loanable amount, payable in three years at zero interest.

“‘Yung ating P1 billion na quick response fund, ito’y nakahanda na para sa rehabilitation and recovery ng mga apektadong lugar na inabutan ng Bagyong Kristine,” the DA official added.

(Our P1 billion quick response fund is ready for the rehabilitation and recovery of the affected areas hit by Typhoon Kristine.) 

Meanwhile, the NDRRMC said the reported death toll due to Kristine and Leon remained at 150. Also, 20 people were reported missing and 143 others were reported injured.

A total of 8,634,862 people or 2,201,570 families in 17 regions were affected by Kristine and Leon. Most of the affected persons were reported in Bicol with 3,122,561, followed by Central Luzon with 1,092,915; and Calabarzon with 1,014,810.

Of the affected population, 223,164 people or 55,626 families were staying in evacuation centers while 521,783 people or 108,929 families were taking shelter in other places.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has declared Monday, November 4, 2024, as a Day of National Mourning for the victims of heavy rains, flooding, and strong winds brought by Kristine.

Floods and landslides were reported in some affected areas. A total of 211,792 houses were damaged — 178,267 partially and 33,525 totally.

Problems with power supply, water supply, and communication line services were also encountered.

Due to Kristine’s and Leon’s threat, 96 seaports suspended operations which stranded 2,141 passengers, 502 rolling cargoes, 19 vessels, and one motorbanca. Meanwhile, three airports suspended operations.

Classes in 1,168 areas and work schedules in 782 areas were also suspended, according to the NDRRMC.

State of calamity was declared in the following areas:

• Dagupan City
• Bani and Anda in Pangasinan
• Ilagan and Roxas in Isabela
• Cavite Province
• Laguna Province
• Batangas Province
• Quezon Province
• Cardona in Rizal
• Puerto Galera, Naujan, Victoria, Pola, Socorro, Pinamalayan, Mansalay, and Bulalacao in Oriental Mindoro
• Albay Province
• Camarines Sur Province
• Catanduanes Province
• Camarines Norte Province
• Naga City
• Sorsogon Province
• Calbayog in Samar
• Jipapad, Arteche, San Policarpo, Oras, Maslog, Dolores, Can-avid, Taft, Sulat, San Julian, Borongan, and Maydolong in Eastern Samar
• Magpet in Cotabato
• Barangays Kiling and San Juan in Alfonso Lista (Potia), Ifugao
• Quezon City

Assistance worth P1,176,764,368 has been provided to the victims so far, according to the NDRRMC.

Kristine entered the Philippine area of responsibility (PAR) on October 21 and made a landfall over Divilacan, Isabela on October 24. It exited PAR on October 25.

Leon entered PAR on October 26. It passed close to Batanes and exited PAR on October 31.—AOL, GMA Integrated News