• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Damage to the agriculture sector, including livestock and fisheries, caused by southwest monsoon (habagat) enhanced by Tropical Storms Ferdie and Helen as well Tropical Depression Gener has reached P149.738 million in Negros Occidental, based on the report of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC).
PDRRM Officer Irene Bel Ploteña reported P146.184 million losses in agricultural crops, P1.781 million in fisheries and P1.772 million in livestock as of Sept. 20.
Affected by the inclement weather were 203,091 persons in 259 barangays of 25 cities and municipalities of Negros Occidental.
However, majority of the more than 10,206 individuals staying inside the evacuation centers and other shelters have already returned to their respective homes.
Forty-five houses were destroyed while 733 were reported to have been partially damaged, with two casualties recorded by the PDRRMC.
States of calamity have been also declared in the municipalities of San Enrique and Hinigaran, and in La Carlota City.
In Sipalay City, the City Agriculture Office reported that southwest monsoon caused flashflood and damaged 334 hectares of rice land, with 359 farmers in 13 barangays affected.
Estimated damage to rice crops was placed at P12 million. | GB
