TS “Kabayan” Damage to Agriculture in Central Luzon Reaches Php841M

City of San Fernando, Pampanga (PNA) — The damage caused by tropical storm “Kabayan” to agriculture in Central Luzon reached Php841 million.

An assessment report from the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) showed that production losses covered damage to rice, high-value crops and livestock in the provinces of Aurora, Bataan, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac.

The rice sector reported the biggest loss pegged at Php831.26 million, followed by high-value crops with Php8.15 million and livestock with Php1.74 million.

Nueva Ecija was hardest hit in the region with Php805 million worth of damages in the rice sector, Php8.15 million in high value crops and Php1.74 million in livestock due to floods caused by strong rains and winds brought by the tropical storm.

Bulacan was the second most affected province with some Php9.57 million damage in rice sector.

In Aurora where “Kabayan” made landfall, damage to rice was at Php5.6 million while Tarlac and Bataan suffered Php5.39 million and Php4.95 million damages, respectively.

Zambales was the only province in the region spared from “Kabayan’s” onslaught.

Meanwhile, some Php2.29 million worth of assistance was provided to affected areas in the region by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), provincial governments and local government units.

In Central Luzon, “Kabayan” left three persons killed, one injured and still one missing.

A total of 74 villages in the region were hit by floods, affecting some 11,641 families or 56,629 individuals. (PNA) JMC/ZST/PS