Agriculture losses from Taal blast now over P3 billion

MANILA, Philippines — Damage and losses in the agriculture sector following the Taal volcano blast has reached P3.06 billion, the Department of Agriculture (DA) said Friday.

In its Taal Volcano Eruption Bulletin No. 5, the DA said that the volcano’s phreatic eruption affected 15,790 hectares of lands and 1,923 animals.

Among those damaged were assorted rice fields, fruits and vegetables, coconut, and fisheries.

The fisheries sector suffered the most, with a record P1.6 billion losses in the tilapia and other bangus species.

The DA previously reported that the agriculture sector had P577.39 million in damage and losses.

According to the DA, the rise in numbers was attributed to the additional reports from Laguna and updated reports from Batangas and Cavite.

Meanwhile, the DA said that the Bureau of Animal Industry initially delivered 20 bags of animal feeds, drugs and medicines.

The Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and National Dairy Authority (NDA), also provided 2.5 tons of roughages (1 ton corn silage and 1.5 tons rice straw) and that will be transported to Batangas, the DA added.