Typhoon Ambo’s damage P2B so far, says NDRRMC

MANILA, Philippines—Damage to infrastructure and agriculture by Typhoon Ambo has been estimated to cost P2 billion so far, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council on Wednesday (May 20).

In a report, the council said the estimated total cost of the damage was now P2,139,771,360 in the regions of Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Cordillera.

Agriculture suffered an estimated P1.5 billion in damage with P1 billion of that in the Cordillera alone.

Cagayan Valley reported the biggest damage to infrastructure worth about P500 million.

The council also listed 289 damaged schools in parts of Luzon and Visayas. A total of 16,993 houses were reported as damaged in Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas.

At least 92,277 families, or 382,739 persons, had been displaced in 276 cities and towns and parts of Luzon and Visayas, the disaster office said.

Ambo was the first typhoon to hit the country this year and came as the Philippines struggled with the COVID-19 pandemic.

Edited by TSB