UNDERWATER. The famous strawberry farms of La Trinidad Benguet are flooded due to Super Typhoon Egay on Wednesday (July 26, 2023). The Department of Agriculture said initial damage to agriculture in the Cordillera Administrative Region has reached PHP90.8 million. (Photo courtesy of DA)
BAGUIO CITY – Initial damage to agriculture in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) due to tropical cyclone Egay reached PHP90.8 million, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Friday.
Latest data from DA-CAR showed that torrential rains damaged high-value crops, affecting 3,710 farmers and fisherfolk in the region.
Corn suffered the most damage at PHP73.17 million, high-value crops at PHP5.3 million, poultry at PHP1.19 million and agriculture infrastructure at PHP11.13 million.
The DA-CAR also said damage to livestock hit PHP12.32 million.
The province of Apayao incurred the biggest losses amounting to PHP50.8 million.
Massive floodings have also been reported in Abra, particularly in the low-lying villages of the towns Bangued, Dolors, Bucay and Lagangilang.
La Paz Mayor JB Bernos said strong current of floods left heavy destruction on their farmlands.
The local governments of Abra and Mountain Province have declared their provinces under a statement of calamity.
Aida Pagtan, chief of the Regional Agriculture and Fisheries Information Office, said the famous strawberry farm and other nearby farmlands in La Trinidad, Benguet were under water on Wednesday and Thursday.
Egay reached super typhoon level and the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal reached as high as “5” in Babuyan Islands and “4” in CAR and other parts of northern Luzon. (PNA)
