BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Agricultural damage due to Tropical Storm “Paeng” in Negros Occidental has reached P256,807,870.35, according to a new report from the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
Rice crops were the worst hit, with P187,482,232.35 worth of damage, based on a report submitted by OPA head Edmundo Raul Causing to Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson on Nov. 2.
High-value crops incurred losses amounting to P2,985,810 while damage to corn was placed at P1,641,324.
In aquaculture and fishery, damage was pegged at P14,698,510 while rrigation damage reached P50,000.
The storm’s rains also caused massive flooding in the southern part of the province from Oct. 26 to 31.
Previously, OPA reported to Lacson showing that about 5,000 hectares of agricultural crops, including rice and other high-value crops, were damaged in 138 barangays in Negros Occidental.
The Provincial Veterinary Office, meanwhile, reported that livestock damage was initially reported at P982,180, affecting 864 heads of animals, with damage to the facilities estimated at P30,000./PN
