The latest report from the Department of Agriculture shows that the damage to agriculture in areas hit by Tropical Depression “Usman” has climbed to P956.63 milion (€15.98 mln). According to the DA-Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operation Center (DA-DRRMOC), among the areas affected by the typhoon were Quezon Province, Oriental Mindoro, Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate, Sorsogon, Samar and Leyte.
Estimated volume of production loss was pegged at 15,883 tons over 41,143 hectares of agricultural areas. Damage to high-value crops, such as fruit trees, assorted vegetables and root crops, has reached P56.99 million (€652,000), with 3,216 MT volume production loss.
The DA reported P500,000 (€8,350) in damage to agriculture facilities, particularly small-scale irrigation, in Camarines Sur and Sorsogon. A report from the DA-DRRMOC said the agency had already distributed seeds (rice, corn and vegetables) and drugs and biologics for livestock and poultry needs in Mimaropa, Bicol and Eastern Visayas regions.
Local government units of affected provinces have been asked to submit a rehabilitation plan to the Agriculture department. Tropical depression Usman left the country on December 30. It triggered landslides and flashfloods that left at least 126 people dead.
The death toll was likely to climb further with 26 people still missing, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesman Edgar Posadas stated.
According to gulf-times.com, more than 152,000 people were displaced by the storm and 75 were injured, according to the national disaster agency.
