'Juaning' agricultural losses placed at P1 B

MANILA, Philippines - Typhoon “Juaning” has left agricultural and livestock losses and damage to agricultural infrastructure placed at P1.063 billion, according to latest figures released by the Department of Agriculture (DA) yesterday.

Palay losses were estimated at P253 million with 39,075 hectares of rice fields affected, while corn losses were placed at P378 million.

However, the DA gave assurance that 89 percent of the affected rice fields still have a chance of recovering.

The DA said the volume of palay lost represents only 0.12 percent of the forecast production of 3.49 million metric tons in the third quarter of the year.

Camarines Sur accounted for the most palay losses placed at 2,491 metric tons.

Twelve provinces in four regions were affected, namely Nueva Vizcaya in Region 2; Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, and Zambales in Region 3; Mindoro Occidental in Region 4-B; and Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Masbate and Sorsogon in Region 5.

In Cagayan Valley, authorities reported that Juaning left P700 million in crop losses, particularly in Quirino and Isabela. – Marianne Go, Charlie Lagasca, Raymund Catindig