‘Ompong’ ravages at least P14B worth of crops

Agricultural damage from typhoon “Ompong” (international name: Mangkhut) now stood to a total of at least P14 billion, but the estimate could still go higher as the updates only have started to come in, the National Disaster Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said Tuesday.

NDRRMC spokesperson Dir. Edgar Posadas said that the P14.339-billion cost of damages to agriculture were in Ilocos, Cagayan, Cordillera, Calabarzon, and Central Luzon.

“Tataas pa ‘yan..Pinupukpok natin ang mga ahensya para mag update sa atin,” he said in a press briefing.

Cagayan region had the biggest amount of damage so far at P3.6 billion, followed by Central Luzon at P2.9 billion, Ilocos at P2.058 billion, Calabarzon at P10.6 million, and Cordillera at P370 million.

MASSIVE KENNON LANDSLIDE The Department of Public Works and Highways has closed Kennon Road, a major route to and from Baguio City, because of a huge landslide in Barangay Camp 7 following heavy rains dumped by Typhoon “Ineng” last week. OMPONG TAN/CONTRIBUTOR

The cost of damage to infrastructure is still not available as of this posting.

“I think tatagal ‘yan dahil mas mahirap i-evaluate ang infra. As soon as the data will come, we will let you know,” Posadas said.

Ompong was the strongest typhoon to hit the country this year. The typhoon left at least 60 people dead with its punishing rains and strong winds.   /kga