Report: Agri sector in Luzon sustain more damage from rains

Days of continuous rain that triggered flash floods and landslides in northern and central Luzon inflicted an additional P316.188 million in damage to the agriculture sector, according to an official report Sunday. The National Disaster Risk-Reduction and Management Council said the amount of damage included P313.749 million in Cagayan Valley and P2.439 million in central Luzon. The rains damaged 15.169 metric tons of palay and corn in Isabela and Cagayan, both in Cagayan Valley, the council said in its report. Damaged in central Luzon were 57 hectares of rice paddies, 19 hectares of cash crops, and 2 hectares of fish ponds. The death roll from the floods and landslides is now at 13 (eight in Isabela, two in Cagayan, two in Aurora, and one in Kalinga), with at least two people injured and three others missing, according to the report. The onslaught has affected 106,923 families (417,318 people) in 500 villages in 45 towns and two cities in six provinces, the council said. At least 11 road sections and six bridges in Cagayan, Isabela, Quirino, Aurora, and Apayao remained impassable, the council added. — VS, GMANews.TV