Enteng causes P12M worth of agricultural damage in Naga

The onslaught of tropical cyclone “Enteng”, which has now intensified to a severe tropical storm, has so far caused P12 million worth of damages to the agricultural sector in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

In James Agustin’s report in 24 Oras on Tuesday, corn crops were the most affected. 

Trinidad Job’s five hectares of rice plantation was submerged in flood water due to heavy rain, which frustrated her as harvesting is already expected next week. 

“Napakalaking kahirapan dahil yung itinamin ko diyan inutang ko rin, dahil yung una nasira rin. Sabi ko, ‘Ngayon sana babawi ako.’ Nakita ko naman yung tubo ng palay maganda,” she lamented. “Hindi ko naman inaasahan na mangyayari ang ganyan.” 

(It’s very frustrating because I just borrowed money for my crops, because the previous ones were also damaged last time. I even told myself that I would make it this time. The crops were good. But I did not expect that this would happen again.) 

Three barangays are so far submerged in floodwater.

In Barangay Triangulo, residents had to endure knee-deep floodwater. But it was worse the previous day as the water reached up to waist-deep because of the heavy rainfall.

Meanwhile, some residents are still staying in evacuation centers.

Local authorities assured assistance to all affected residents. 

“Inuuna yung mga nasa evacuation centers. Yung mga nag-evacuate sa kapitbahay, sa mga pariente nila hindi pa po ‘yon na assess lahat,” said Naga City LDRRMO head Ernesto Elcamel.

(We are prioritizing those in evacuation centers. Those who just evacuated to their neighbors or relatives, they haven’t been assessed yet.) 

Infant dies after drowning 

Further, one of the two reported casualties due to drowning in Naga City was an infant.

Oliver Ganila was devastated after his daughter Fiona, who is about to turn nine months old, fell from their bed into the floodwater. 

“Pagkahulog niya, hindi kami kung nagising lang sa pag-iyak niya, hindi kami nagising yung biglaan lang talaga. Ewan ko ba bakit nagkaganoon,” he said.

(We usually wake up when she cries, but we were not able to wake up this time because everything happened so fast. I don’t know how could that happen to her.)

Fiona was rushed to the hospital, but was declared dead on arrival. 

The city of Naga has declared a state of calamity.

According to state weather bureau PAGASA, Enteng is expected to exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Wednesday morning.—Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News