ILOILO – The initial estimate of losses in Western Visayas’ agriculture due to massive flooding reached P111.1 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA). Tropical Depression “Agaton” pounded the region with torrential rains from April 10 to 12.
A total of 3,971 farmers were affected in the provinces of Capiz (2,990), Iloilo (826) and Antique (155), data from DA Region 6 showed.
The agricultural losses included rice, corn, high-value crops, aquaculture, poultry and livestock, among others.
The three provinces lost a combined 7,081.52 metric tons (MT) of agricultural produce valued at P111,106,895.36, according to DA-6.
In Iloilo, losses reached 1,574.27 MT and valued at P25,144,521.50. But the losses could still balloon. Towns that have so far submitted reports to the DA-6 were Batad, Sara, Zarraga, Concepcion, Dingle, Banate, Balasan, and Dueñas, and the component city of Passi.
Capiz, meanwhile, reported 5,258.13 MT agricultural losses in the towns of Panay, Panitan, Sigma, and Mambusao and valued at P81,834,975.
In Antique, losses so far reached 222.12 MT in the towns of Barbaza and Valderrama. These were pegged at P4,126,398.86.
On the other hand, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) reported 300 barangays affected by flooding (as of April 13, 1 p.m.). These were mostly in Iloilo, Capiz and Negros Occidental.
In Capiz, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDDRMO) counted 161 barangays in 17 towns and Roxas City.
In Iloilo province, there were 172 flooded barangays in 24 towns.
As of this writing, many areas in Capiz and Iloilo were still underwater. The RDRRMC conducted an aerial assessment with the help of the Philippine Air Force.
Also, the number of casualties mainly due to drowning rose from the initial two. The RDRRMC reported a total of six confirmed deaths.
Three of these were from Sara, Iloilo; and one each in Ajuy and Lemery towns, both also in Iloilo province.
The other casualty was from Pilar, Capiz.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development, local government units and private individuals and organizations distributed goods to displaced families./PN
