DAVAO CITY, Philippines — Farmers lost about P1.2-Billion due to Tropical storm Vinta, most of which are in Mindanao.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council reported PHP1,246,865,806.78 lost in the agriculture sector.
Ricardo Jalad, NDRRMC executive director identified the hard hit areas as Regions 8, 9, 10, 11 and CARAGA.
Rice and corn fields suffered the biggest damage while damage to infrastructure was placed at PHP242.7 million in Regions 9, 10 and 11.
Jalad said around 4,857 houses were damaged — 2,482 totally and 2,375 partially – in Regions 4B, 9, 10, 11 and the ARMM.
The number of affected families has climbed to 161,628 or 767,994 persons living in 1,131 barangays in Regions 4B, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, ARMM and CARAGA.
Of the number, 18,289 families or 89,611 persons are currently assisted outside and inside evacuation centers.
In Davao City, many families welcomed 2018 at the evacuation centers are their houses are yet to be repaired.
President Rodrigo Duterte met the local executives of Lanao del Sur Wednesday to determine the extent of damage in the province.
Statistics form the different regional polic commands showed 127 of the fatalities were in Lanao del Norte, 6 in Bukidnon, one in Iligan, and one in Misamis Occidental. Around 72 others remain missing in Northern Mindanao.
It was also earlier reported that up to 50 died in the Zamboanga Peninsula and 18 in Lanao del Sur, bringing the total number of fatalities across Mindanao to 203.
As affected residents are yet to recover from the onslaught of “Vinta, another storm is expected in the Southern Mindanao region.
The low pressure area (LPA) off Mindanao entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) early Sunday, December 31.
At 4:00 PM today, 31 December 2017, the PAGASA weather bulletin stated “At 3:00 PM today, the Low Pressure Area (LPA) was estimated based on all available data at 850km East of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte (9.8N, 133.2E). Tail-End of a Cold Front affecting Bicol region and Eastern Visayas. Northeast Monsoon affecting Northern and Central Luzon.
The LPA is expected to develop into a tropical depression within the next 48 hours, or as 2018 begins. When it does, it will be given the local name Agaton.-Editha Z. Caduaya/Newsline.ph
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