PAMPANGA, Philippines – At least P354.5 million in total were reported as damaged in agriculture and 10 fatalities were so far recorded across Central Luzon brought by the heavy rains from the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Carina, according to authorities.
The regional risk reduction and management council (RDRRMC) data indicates that, P70.49 million were from rice and corn while P284.01 million were damages from fisheries and aquatic resources as of July 27.
The fatalities include six from Bulacan, two from Angeles City, one from Lubao in Pampanga, and one in Bataan whose deaths were attributed mostly to drowning and landslides, according to the data released by the Philippine National Police Region 3.
Among the seven provinces in Central Luzon, three provinces were placed under state of calamity to address the situation and expedite assistance.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with Governors Dennis Pineda, Dan Fernando, and Joet Garcia of Pampanga, Bulacan, and Bataan, Bulacan, and Pampanga who have been severely affected by the heavy rains and flooding.
Marcos said rehabilitation of agriculture will be prioritized, moving away from rescue and relief operations to ensure harvest as well as livelihood of the farmers and fisherfolk.
“This is going to be the main concern. Puro agri ang area niiyo, agri ang pinakacritical na problema. Lalaki pa yan, hindi pa ito final. Pero na-assess na natin ang majority ng nasira,” Marcos said.
“Yung agri hanggat bumaba ang tubig hindi natin malalaman kung ano ba talaga ang damage. Although hindi natin kailangan antayin na bumaba yung tubig. Pwede na natin simulan. So we will try to chase the planting season dahil para hindi mawalan ng hanapbuhay yung ating farmers,” he added.
Pineda highlighted the damage on agriculture, fisheries, and livestock where 4,494 farmers, fisherfolks, and livestock owners have been affected.
“Kakatanim lang, kakatapos lang ng problema sa El Nino. Ito kakastart palang,” Pineda said. “Ang importante nabibigyan natin ng ayuda kasi lalo na yung sa mga coastal barangays hindi makalabas para makapangisda.”
In Bulacan, Fernando reported that all 24 cities and municipalities of Bulacan were affected by floods. Meycauayan and Marialo suffered severely with recorded flooding up to 12 feet.
Bataan experienced flooding in 11 out of 12 municipalities across 118 out of 237 barangays, according to Garcia.