Iloilo farmers suffer PHP 26M in crop losses due to storms, monsoon

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

Farmers in Iloilo have suffered more than PHP 26 million in agricultural losses after the southwest monsoon (habagat) and tropical cyclones Mirasol, Nando, and Opong battered the province last week.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported that as of Sept. 30, 1,171 farmers were affected, with 1,057.2 hectares of croplands damaged, including 96.2 hectares with no chance of recovery.

The council said overall agricultural losses in Western Visayas have reached PHP 36.7 million.

“We will prepare what help we can extend to those affected by the storms,” Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. said, noting that funds for the assistance will be “programmatic.”

“We have assistance coming from the Office of the Governor—in agriculture, the disaster office, or even health—and it can come from different budgets and different departments,” he added.

Damage to infrastructure was pegged at PHP 62.56 million, with Iloilo suffering the heaviest toll at PHP 42 million followed by Antique with PHP 20.4 million.

Meanwhile, the Bacalan Bridge in Sebaste, Antique was declared passable, and authorities installed a Bailey bridge with a 10-ton transom limit.

The RDRRMC also reported that at least 586,911 individuals, or 164,220 families, across the region were affected by last week’s storms.

Antique recorded the highest number of affected persons at 171,644, followed by Aklan with 144,286 and Iloilo with 140,741.

A total of 1,281 individuals remain in evacuation centers, 1,190 of whom are from Antique.

The council also reported 2,942 damaged houses across Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, and Guimaras, including 2,811 partially damaged and 131 totally destroyed.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development said it has provided PHP 41 million in assistance to 51,834 affected families.

The southwest monsoon, often intensified by passing cyclones, typically brings prolonged heavy rain and flooding to Western Visayas during the late wet season.