HOMELESS Residents of this fishing community in Surigao City put up makeshift tents and shelters to protect themselves from the rain after Typhoon “Odette” destroyed their houses. —ERWIN MASCARIÑAS
MANILA, Philippines — The damage caused by Typhoon Odette (international name: Rai) to the essential agriculture sector surged further to P10.8 billion as of Tuesday afternoon, the Department of Agriculture said as the National Electrification Administration said the damage to the facilities of electric cooperatives increased to P2.6 billion.
Odette affected 356,486 farmers and fishers in the regions of Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen and Caraga.
Production losses reached 239,656 metric tons while 399,531 hectares of agricultural areas were damaged.
Meanwhile, Energy Undersecretary Felix William Fuentebella said the Department of Energy is monitoring the restoration of electricity before the agency provides a definite timeline for restoring electricity in areas affected by the typhoon.