Iloilo’s agriculture suffers PHP 185 million in typhoon damage

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Typhoon Tino (Kalmaegi) caused an estimated PHP 185.25 million in damage to Iloilo’s agriculture sector, affecting 9,513 farmers and fisherfolk, according to the Final Consolidated Damage Assessment Report of the Provincial Agriculture Office (PAO) as of Nov. 10.

The report covered losses recorded from Nov. 2 to 6, when the typhoon battered several towns across the province with destructive winds and torrential rains.

Rice and high-value commercial crops (HVCC) sustained the most damage, with combined losses reaching PHP 126.98 million.

The rice sector alone posted PHP 63.63 million in losses across 38 municipalities, covering 5,125.54 hectares of standing crops and affecting 5,396 farmers.

HVCC, which includes vegetables and fruit-bearing plants, suffered PHP 63.35 million in damages across 3,889.52 hectares, impacting 2,533 farmers.

Losses were also reported in other crop sectors.

The corn sector sustained PHP 8.45 million in damages, affecting 334 farmers and 354.42 hectares in 23 municipalities.

Cassava production recorded PHP 256,925 in losses across 3.32 hectares, with 13 farmers affected in four towns.

The fisheries sector was also hit hard, reporting PHP 48.13 million in damages and affecting 1,143 fisherfolk across 17 coastal municipalities.

The livestock and poultry sector incurred PHP 1.43 million in losses, with 94 farmers affected in 12 municipalities.

The consolidated report was prepared by Planning Officer II Rodnel G. Guanco and signed by Acting PAO Chief Felina Grace C. Basco.

Typhoon Tino made its fifth landfall in Iloilo City at 1:20 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 4, before crossing parts of Iloilo and the neighboring province of Antique.

Although the typhoon slightly weakened before landfall with maximum sustained winds dropping to 130 km/h from 140 km/h, it still packed gusts of up to 180 km/h, leaving widespread agricultural destruction in its wake.

The central and southern parts of Iloilo, including Calinog, Oton, Pavia, Guimbal, San Miguel, Leon, Janiuay, Miag-ao, and Iloilo City, were placed under Signal No. 4, signifying typhoon-force winds posing a severe threat to life and property.

The rest of the province was under Signal No. 3, with storm-force winds and moderate to significant threats.