Quiel leaves P285-M damage to Cagayan crops

TUGUEGARAO – Authorities have placed at P285 million the initial amount of damage caused by tropical depression Quiel to agricultural crops in Cagayan.

The amount covers only nine of 11 municipalities submerged in floodwaters spawned by Quiel, according to Narciso Edillo, executive officer of the Department of Agriculture (DA) regional office

“The amount is expected to rise,” Edillo said over the weekend, noting a DA survey team was still waiting for the floods to subside before it could assess the damage in remote areas.

He said among those that incurred major damage were rice and other high-value crops.

The DA has yet to determine the amount of damage to livestock.

As this developed, the Cagayan Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office said major roads linking Cagayan and Ilocos regions have been cleared and opened to traffic.

Several evacuees have started to return home.

Five persons were confirmed dead in Claveria, Baggao and Aparri due to the typhoon.

Authorities have yet to locate Cesar Ballad who was carried by strong currents as he was crossing the river with his horse in Peñablanca at the height of the typhoon.

Ballad’s horse was found dead by villagers.

Meanwhile, authorities have retrieved the body of Apayao board member Tolentino Mangalao and Cpl. Rommel Gumidam Jr., who were buried in a landslide as heavy rains pounded Barangay Dibagat, Kabugao town on Thursday night.

James Carag, who was also carried away by floodwaters in Barangay Karagawan, remains missing.