Habagat causes PHP104-M in agriculture losses

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD CITY – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that the southwest monsoon (habagat) caused PHP104,940,069 in agricultural damage across Negros Occidental.

As of 11 a.m. on Sept. 19, rice and crops sustained the highest losses, valued at PHP101,737,398.58, affecting 121 barangays.

In the fisheries sector, 15 barangays reported losses totaling PHP1,781,361, while 172 households were impacted by livestock damage amounting to PHP1,421,309.20.

The heavy rains and flooding affected 55,341 families, or 200,782 individuals, in 256 barangays across 25 cities and municipalities.

As of Thursday morning, 2,987 families, or 12,571 individuals, remained in evacuation centers, while 592 families, or 1,906 persons, were staying outside the centers.

Two fatalities were reported in connection with the habagat and the recent typhoon.

Floodwaters have subsided in the 29 affected areas, and of the nine reported landslides, eight have been cleared.

The PDRRMC also reported 460 damaged homes, 34 of which were completely destroyed and 426 partially damaged. All roads and bridges are now passable.

Three local government units have declared a state of calamity.