‘Ofel’ brings P15M in losses to E. Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY—At least P15 million worth of palay were destroyed when Tropical Storm “Ofel” hit Eastern Visayas on October 24, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

Reports from the DA office in Eastern Visayas showed that Ofel destroyed 6,640 metric tons of palay grown by farmers in Leyte, Samar and Biliran.

Leyte suffered the brunt of the damage. Farms in the towns of Alangalang, Carigara, Palo, Tanauan, Tunga, Javier, Julita, MacArthur, Leyte-Leyte, Babatngon and Barugo suffered losses.

The amount of damage, however, was not enough to alter production targets set by the DA in the region.

Antonio Gerundio, DA regional head, said the region’s agriculture sector would still be able to hit its targets.

Gerundio said the amount of the damage was not even 1 percent of projected production.

The regional DA has set a production target of 986,726 metric tons this year.