THE country’s first major storm this year hit Cordillera’s agriculture hard, with damage pegged at more than P44 million.
The Department of Agriculture (DA)-Cordillera Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Operations Center reported initial damage to agriculture from severe tropical storm “Florita” to be at P44,010,647.46.
Cameron Odsey, DA-Cordillera director, said that rice incurred almost P35 M (P34,973,776.52) damage. Corn accounted for P7,254,750 while high-value crops, which include upland and lowland vegetables and fruits, sustained P1,782,120.94.
Most of the damage came from Kalinga province with P34,887,757 worth of agricultural products destroyed.
A total of 10,045 families or 33,506 individuals in the region suffered from the devastating effects of Typhoon Florita, according to the Department of Social and Welfare Development-Cordillera.
The region likewise recorded a casualty from the province of Kalinga, with one injured in Benguet.
More roads connecting several towns in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were closed to traffic on Wednesday, Aug. 24, due to landslides and soil collapse following the onslaught of “Florita”.
On the 11 a.m. situational report of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-CAR), seven roads were totally closed to motorists and three others were partially closed due to soil collapse, slope damage, and obstruction of fallen trees.
Road advisory for impassable roads included the Abra-Kalinga Road in Subagan, Baay- Licuan, Abra; and Gov. Bado Dangwa National Road in Gakian, Gambang, Bakun.
Also closed to traffic were, Gov. Bado Dangwa National Road, connecting the Baguio-Bontoc Road; Apayao-Ilocos Norte Road in Madatag, Kabugao, Apayao; Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road in Namaltugan, Calanasan, Apayao; and Baguio-Bua-Itogon Road in Sitio Twin River, Poblacion, Itogon, Benguet.
Travelers crossing the Baguio-Bontoc Road in the Bontoc Ili section which closed due to soil collapse and fallen trees were advised to take the alternate route to Ucab – Midas Municipal Road. For Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur vis Tue in Tadian, Mt. Province route, travelers were advised to take instead the Mt. Province – Ilocos Sur Road via Kayan.
The damage to infrastructure due to Florita has been estimated to be over P33 million, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Friday.
Based on its 8:00 a.m. situational report, the NDRRMC said a total of 31 damaged infrastructures were recorded with an estimated cost of P33,700,000.
Of the total number, 24 were in the Ilocos Region and seven in Cagayan Valley.
The agency said a total of 33 houses were damaged in Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera Administrative Region.
DSWD-CAR noted 22 houses destroyed in the region – four totally damaged and 18 partially damaged.
Totally damaged houses were listed in Baguio, Benguet, and Mt. Province.
For houses that incurred slight damage, Baguio had three, Benguet-eight, and Mt. Province- seven.
At least 17,510 families or 71,468 individuals were affected during the heavy rains and flash floods brought by Florita, the NDRRMC said.
Meanwhile, a total of 1,031 individuals from the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) were preemptively evacuated.
DSWD-CAR said 9,466 of those affected were from Abra, 442 from Apayao, 25 from Baguio City, 33 from Benguet, one from Kalinga, and 78 from Mt. Province. Some of these families (or 448 individuals) were accommodated at evacuation centers
The other 302 families staying outside evacuation centers are with relatives or at their current residences.
The social welfare department has provided a total amount of P652, 928.35 assistance to affected families. In Abra, P261,419.45 worth of food packs and non-food items were distributed, P296,286 for Apayao, P40,524 for Mt. province, P11,899 for Kalinga, and P42,800 for Benguet.
A standby fund amounting to P5,267,429.50 and subject to replenishment upon utilization is still available, said the agency.
