Bicol incurs P1.2B infra, agri losses due to Uwan

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

LEGAZPI CITY --- The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol reported that the Bicol Region suffered over P1.2 billion damages on infrastructure and agriculture due to Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-Wong).

Based on the OCD report, Uwan left P1, 133,789,000 damages on infrastructure and P138, 405,586.40 on agriculture or a total of P1, 272,194,586.40.

The OCD also reported that 18,005 houses were totally damaged, 142,472 partially damaged or a total of 160,477.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development provided P96,967,077.89 worth of food and nonfood items to the different local government units (LGUs) of the six provinces in Bicol.

As to the damages to agriculture, the OCD reported that Uwan left at least P138,405,586.40 initial damages, with 8,091 metric tons of production loss.

Camarines Sur reported the highest losses for rice production worth P110,135,336.40; and P16,195,125.00 for corn and P5,530,600.00 for high-value crops.

Albay province reported P3,184,525.00 initial damages on rice and P3,360,000.00 damages on corn.

A total of 2,368 hectares of agricultural land were affected and 4,248 farmers. At least 1,571 hectares of various plants have no chance of recovery, while 797 hectares are partially damaged.

At least 87 LGUs in the Bicol Region remain powerless since the occurrence of the typhoon.

Still without power are 11 of 15 towns and three cities in Albay; 10 LGUs in Camarines Norte; 32 towns in Camarines Sur; 11 towns in Catanduanes; 15 towns in Sorsogon; and eight towns in Masbate.

The Philippine Red Cross in Bicol continuously provides water to the people of Catanduanes after its water sources were destroyed by Uwan.