Monsoon to continue bringing rains

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines will continue experiencing rains brought by the southwest monsoon following the recent exit of two tropical cyclones, according to the state weather bureau.

Moderate to heavy rains are forecast over Zambales and Bataan.

The Ilocos region may see occasional rains.

Cloudy skies with scattered rains are expected in Metro Manila, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Calabarzon and the rest of Central Luzon.

The Visayas, Mindanao and the rest of Luzon may experience isolated rains.

Authorities have recorded 23 casualties, 13 injured and 15 missing persons due to the enhanced southwest monsoon and the cyclones.

Affected Filipinos nationwide totaled 1,061,421, or 298,633 families, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said yesterday.

Most are in Central Luzon, with 354,926 people, or 113,141 families affected.

Damage to infrastructure reached P2.4 million and 1,243 houses were damaged.

Agricultural damage hits P107 million

Agricultural damage reached P107.42 million due to the combined effects of the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Ferdie, Gener and Helen, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said yesterday.

Losses in 1,646 hectares of agricultural lands were reported, as well as a production loss of 4,749 metric tons, based on latest data from the DA Operations Center.

Rice production accounted for the bulk of the damage, with 92 percent, or P98.34 million covering 1,536 hectares and losses of 4,340 MT.

Corn production followed, recording P6.06 million in damage covering 91 hectares and production losses of 335 MT.

Damage to high-value crops amounted to P2.99 million, or 19 hectares and 74 MT of losses.

Livestock and poultry losses totaled P29,000.

At least 1,327 farmers were affected by flooding, the DA noted.

“Best possible efforts are being undertaken to carry out assistance and appropriate interventions to the affected farmers,” the agency said.

Price monitoring is being conducted for possible changes in the cost of agricultural commodities, the DA said.

Helen entered the Philippine area of responsibility on Tuesday and exited PAR on Wednesday.

Food shortage

In Negros Oriental, food shortages might be experienced in Canlaon City following the destruction of 1,639 hectares of crops, which affected 1,533 farmers.

Sulfur dioxide emissions from Kanlaon Volcano also affected 43.10 hectares of agricultural land, affecting 81 farmers, said Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas.

Around 288 families, or 919 people, have been displaced by the combined effects of volcanic activity and heavy rainfall as of Wednesday.

In the past 24 hours, 30 volcanic quakes and 5,362 tons of sulfur dioxide emissions were recorded by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

Meanwhile in Negros Occidental, the towns of San Enrique and Hinigaran and La Carlota City declared a state of calamity as 157,077 people have been affected by heavy rains and floods as of Wednesday.

Around 36,000 evacuees were expected to return to their homes as the weather started to improve.

A state of calamity declaration allows a local government unit to disburse its quick response fund for relief and recovery programs. The QRF represents 30 percent of an LGU’s disaster risk reduction and management fund.

Leptospirosis

Cases of leptospirosis could increase due to the recent cyclones and inclement weather, the Department of Health said yesterday.

The DOH earlier reported a decreasing trend in the number of leptospirosis cases.

Prohibiting swimming, playing and wading through floods – as recently directed by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority – is a “proactive step in safeguarding public health,” the DOH said. –  Bella Cariaso, Pia Lee-Brago, Gilbert Bayoran, Rhodina Villanueva