Damage to infra, agri sectors left by ‘Ineng’ now at P4.4B

MANILA, Philippines—The damage to infrastructure and agriculture left by typhoon “Ineng” has reached P4.4 billion, more than two weeks after it slammed into northern Luzon.

In an update, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said the destruction of infrastructure and agricultural crops has been recorded at P4,406,456,628.74.

Damage to infrastructure, including electrical posts, was at P2,333,559,843.97, while damage to agriculture, including agricultural lands, was at P2,043,188,253.27.

The agency also recorded other property losses at P29,706,531.50.

Much of the damage was in the Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon and Cordillera regions.

A state of calamity was declared in Ilocos Norte, Benguet, Sta. Praxedes in Cagayan, Balbalan in Kalinga, Apayao, Mt. Province and Abra.

A total of 5,742 houses were either damaged or destroyed in the Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon, Cordillera and Southern Luzon.

The NDRRMC added that the power lines in all areas affected by “Ineng’ have been fully restored.

The 69 roads, eight bridges and two spillways, which were previously impassable to vehicles because of the typhoon’s onslaught have been cleared and are now functioning.

However, 12 roads and one bridge are still impassable to vehicles in the Ilocos and Cordillera regions as of this date.

“Ineng” battered parts of northern Luzon from August 18 until it exited the country on August 23.

So far, the typhoon left 33 dead and 24 injured as authorities are searching for seven others who are still missing.

Out of the 89,894 families or 397,143 people affected by the weather disturbance, 2,966 families or 11,915 people are still staying in evacuation centers.

The government has released P15,504,583.50 in relief assistance to affected families in the Ilocos, Cagayan and Cordillera regions. Julie M. Aurelio