Heavy rains destroy P2M crops, fishponds in Zamboanga del Sur

PAGADIAN CITY – Heavy rains in the past two days destroyed crops and fishponds here amounting to P2.09 million.

Engr. Francisco Maca of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, said the towns of Tambulig, Mahayag, Dumingag, Molave and Dinas of Zamboanga del Sur were flooded as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) issued heavy rainfall warning caused by southwest monsoon affecting Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

Dinas MDRRM Action Officer Wilfredo Asoy Jr. said the rains destroyed up to 70 hectares of rice fields and crops amounting to P490,000, affecting 85 farmers; 75 hectares of fish ponds, worth P1.2 million, affecting 100 operators; and seaweeds amounting to P400,000, affecting 500 planters.

Asoy said they were still conducting evaluation and analysis of the damages.

In Pitogo town, 32 fishing boats were forced to dock on Panikian Island due to strong winds and heavy rains while two more boats were forced to dock in the coastal barangay of Talaungan, according to MDRRM Action Officer Rolando Caliguid Jr.

In Dimataling town, a private chopper driven by pilot Major Omar Kahon was forced to make an emergency landing on a coastal road in Dimataling town, police said. The aircraft was flying from Cotabato to Zamboanga City.

Maca said they were still monitoring other areas for possible landslides and floods as rains continued to pour in Zamboanga peninsula areas.