Ompong’ leaves P29.9-M initial agri damage in Aurora

BALER, Aurora -- The cost of damage to agriculture caused by the onslaught of Typhoon Ompong in this province was initially placed at PHP29.98 million.

Data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), headed by acting Governor Rommel Rico T. Angara, showed that the agricultural losses cover damages to crops and livestock.

Chief of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), Amado Elson A. Egargue, said the worst hit by “Ompong” were the agricultural areas of Dinalungan, Casiguran and Dilasag, the northern towns of the province that were placed under tropical cyclone warning signal No. 3.

Egargue said the highest loss in agriculture was in Dilasag with an initial estimate of PHP13.9 million, broken down into PHP13.8 million for crops and PHP58,850 for livestock.

This was followed by Casiguran, which incurred PHP12.45 million in losses, and Dinalungan, PHP992,100.

Meanwhile, Dipaculao town was also not spared, suffering an initial PHP2.55 million in agricultural loss, while Dingalan town reported an initial PHP45,000 worth of losses in crops.

Egargue said “Ompong” has affected some 7,475 families or 27,763 individuals in the entire province.

Of the figure, some 4,674 families or 17,738 individuals are temporarily staying in various evacuation centers, while 2,801 families or 10,025 individuals are outside evacuation camps.

Constant coordination and gathering of data on damages to the different concerned offices are still ongoing, he said, noting that all the reports coming from the DRRMCs are subject to validation, as directed by Angara.

“The move is to avoid bloated or exaggerated reports,” Egargue said.

He said soldiers of the 91st Infantry “Sinagtala” Battalion, Philippine Army, Philippine National Police, local and national officials are set to convene for other updates regarding the damages inflicted by “Ompong”.

Meanwhile, the PDRRMO chief said the liquor ban, no sailing and no outdoor activities along the beach in the province have all been lifted. (PNA)