Agri damage due to Habagat, Neneng, past cyclones reaches P1.73B
The combined effects of the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat), past cyclones Luis and Maymay, and now Tropical Depression Neneng have led to P1.73 billion worth of damage and losses to the country's agriculture sector, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Thursday. The latest assessment by DA regional offices showed that the weather disturbances affected agricultural and fishery areas in the Cordillera Administrative Region, Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA, and Western Visayas. There were 40,954 hectares of agricultural areas hit and 43, 220 metric tons of production losses incurred. Of the total damage and losses recorded, rice accounted for the biggest share at P974.82 million.
State of calamity recommended in Bataan due to flooding, governor says
Bataan Governor Jose Enrique Garcia III said the provincial council has recommended placing the province under a state of calamity due to flooding amid the effects of Southwest Monsoon or Habagat. Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, Garcia said flooding was reported in Hermosa, Dinalupihan, and Mariveles. “Kahapon sa aming PDRRM emergency council meeting, nag-rekomenda na rin po kami ng state of calamity. Kaya alam ko ngayong araw ‘yan pag-uusapan ng Sangguniang Panlalawigan,” Garcia said. (Yesterday, during our PDRRM emergency council meeting, we recommended declaring a state of calamity. So, I know the Sangguniang Panlalawigan will be discussing that today.) More than 4,000 residents were brought to evacuation centers, while another 4,000 took temporary shelter to the houses of their relatives, according to the governor. Garcia said the heavy rains have also affected residents’ livelihoods as many have been unable to report for work.