Shear line damages P172-M worth of agri products, infra in Davao region

DAVAO CITY (MindaNews) – The recent heavy rains brought by the shear line destroyed at least P172 million worth of agricultural products and infrastructure in the Davao region.

Data from the Department of Agriculture – Davao region (DA-Davao) said the initial damage to palay, corn and other highvalue crops reached P145.3 million.

The heavy rains affected 7,958 hectares of farmlands tilled by 6,352 farmers from Davao del

Norte, Davao Oriental, Davao de Oro, and this city.

The Office of Civil Defense – Davao region reported 17 damaged infrastructures amounting to P27.2 million in the area.

DA-Davao data showed that 5,627 palay farmers were affected, involving 7,469 hectares of farmlands. The estimated loss for palay alone amounted to P108,618,117.36.

Some 178 hectares of corn fields tilled by 212 farmers were also affected, the loss valued at

P5,376,489.70, it said.

For high-value crops, 508 farmers were affected, involving 312.23 hectares of farmlands. The loss was estimated at P31,350,110.58.

Five farmers reported losses in livestock and poultry worth P91,200, the DA-Davao report said.

Joedel Leliza, DADavao disaster risk reduction regional focal person, said that for this year, a P1 billion quick response fund (QRF) has been allocated to rehabilitate agricultural facilities or compensate farmers affected by disasters.

Last week, the Davao region and other parts of Mindanao suffered heavy rainfall due to the shear line, causing flooding in some areas.

A shear line is the convergence of cold (northeast monsoon locally called amihan) and warm (easterly) winds, which triggers rain, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. (Ian Carl Espinosa / MindaNews)