‘Enteng’ renders P350-M agri damage in Bicol

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

The Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol reported that Tropical Storm Enteng has caused initial agricultural damages exceeding P350 million, affecting 13,623 farmers and fishermen across the region.

Lovella Guarin, the DA regional spokesperson, informed Bicol Mail that the storm has devastated 8,893 hectares of agricultural land, including rice, vegetables, and other crops. The preliminary report from local government units indicates that 94.93% of palay plantations were affected, 4% of corn crops, and 1.07% of high-value crops, resulting in a production loss of 14,814 metric tons, equivalent to P350.85 million.

Of the 8,893 hectares impacted, 5,795 hectares (65.18%) may recover, while 3,096 hectares (34.82%) are unlikely to recover. Among Bicol’s six provinces, Camarines Sur and Albay were the hardest hit. Camarines Sur, the rice granary of the region, experienced damage to 8,513 hectares of rice fields. Of these, 5,435 hectares (63.85%) were partially damaged, and 3,078 hectares (36.15%) were totally destroyed, resulting in a loss of 13,887 metric tons of rice, valued at P333.08 million.

For corn, 361 hectares sustained partial damage with a loss of 739 metric tons, valued at P14.01 million, affecting both Albay and Camarines Sur. Most of the damaged corn was in the vegetative and reproductive stages.

In Albay, the Albay Provincial Agriculture Office (APAO) reported initial damages to 104 hectares of palay due to flooding caused by the storm. Of these, six hectares were totally damaged, and 98 hectares were partially damaged. The hardest-hit areas include Tiwi, Camalig, Daraga, Legazpi, and Tabaco, with estimated damages exceeding P1.6 million.

Guarin noted that damage estimates are expected to rise as more reports from affected local government units are received. The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Bicol reported that a total of 44,013 families, or 181,506 individuals, have been affected by the storm. As of September 3, 2024, 4,391 families (12,653 individuals) remain evacuated: 1,009 families (3,943 individuals) are in 112 evacuation centers, while 3,382 families (8,710 individuals) are outside these centers.

A total of 296 incidents related to the storm have been reported across 35 cities and municipalities, including 290 flooding incidents. Currently, 116 areas/barangays are still flooded, 16 are receding, and 158 have subsided.

The OCD Bicol also reported that 546 houses in Masbate and Camarines Norte were damaged—39 totally and 507 partially—due to floods, rain-induced landslides, and fallen trees.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) regional office has distributed P26,812,998.86 worth of family food packs and non-food items, while local government units provided P673,361.50 in packed hot meals. The total humanitarian assistance provided by DSWD Bicol amounts to P27,486,360.36.