Sorsogon logs over P60-M partial agri, infra damage

INQUIRER FILES

SANTA MAGDALENA, Sorsogon — The Sorsogon provincial government has reported initial damages exceeding P60 million to agriculture and infrastructure due to Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami).

Provincial Agriculturist Maria Teresa Destura reported an estimated P21,426,233 in agricultural losses, based on consolidated data from local agriculturists throughout the province. Destura explained that these preliminary figures were further validated by the agriculture extension workers.

READ: Another Sorsogon town declares state of calamity

“Prior to the storm, 80 percent of crops had already been harvested, but 70 percent of the remaining unharvested crops were affected,” Destura said, expressing hope that the remaining crops may still be salvaged and advising farmers to harvest them as soon as possible.

In infrastructure, Provincial Engineering Office head Odessa Tejada reported at least P40 million in damage, with P20 million in the 1st district and P19.8 million in the 2nd district.

She noted that the engineering team is still assessing the full extent of the damage and that clearing operations are ongoing in Barangay Banuang Gurang in Donsol and Barangay Siuton in Magallanes.

The storm also led to a province-wide power outage starting Monday; however, the majority of areas have since been reenergized.

According to the Sorsogon Electric Cooperative, 77 percent of households in the 1st district and 80 percent in the 2nd district have had their power restored. INQ