P78M damage in agriculture due to “Ruby”

CEBU, Philippines - Typhoon ‘Ruby’ left an estimated P78 million worth of damage to the agriculture sector in Cebu, based on the partial assessment submitted to the provincial government by local government units.

The assessment only covered five towns, so far, out of the 12 municipalities in northern Cebu hit by the typhoon.

The five towns are Remigio, which reported a P71.5-million damage to crops, Tabogon placed the damage to crops and livestock at P3.7 million, Bantayan town at P3.2 million, Medellin at P200,000, and Carmen at P27,000.

Roldan Saragena, head of the Provincial Agriculture Office, said most crops affected were banana trees and corns.

He, however, made it clear that the figures are still partial as the assessment is still on-going.

He pointed out the factors that contribute to the delay of the assessment include the lack of manpower and availability of data from the LGUs. He believes that members of the assessment team were also affected by the brunt of the typhoon.

Saragena urged affected fishermen and farmers covered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation  to inquire at the Capitol as to the process of claiming insurance.

 The PCIC partnered with the province in providing insurance to farmers and fishermen that covers high value commercial crops, livestock, fisheries, non-crop agricultural assets, lives and limbs of the farmers and fisherfolks, among others.

 The Provincial Board has placed the province under state of calamity following the damage brought by typhoon “Ruby.” This allows the province to shell out funds for response and other emergency operations.

 The province has already extended relief assistance to the affected local government units in northern Cebu, as well as the southern towns and city affected by Tropical Depression Queenie.

The province has given out 1,182 sacks of rice to 25 LGUs, 346 boxes of sardines, 529 boxes of noodles, and 1,351 boxes and packs of bottled water.

 The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has yet to come up with the consolidated damage estimate for all affected sectors.  (FREEMAN)