By Mark L. Garcia Typhoon Agaton, which hit Negros province in the first week of 2018, destroyed P16.8 million worth of crops and fishing equipment, the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist of Negros Occidental reported. Based on the report, from the period of Jan. 1 to 8, crop damages from four government units were at P15,138,034 while fishery damages from Jan. 1 to 2 from six LGUs was P1,684,425. The damage was caused by heavy rainfall and flooding, affecting rice and high-value commercial crops, fishing facilities and equipment. Bago City incurred the highest crop damage at P14,229,144 covering a total of 583.55 hectares, affecting 337 farmers from 15 barangays. Cadiz City also reported crop damages worth P696,160 covering 48.95 hectares affecting the rice crops of 54 farmers from five barangays, and another P168,360 for high-value crops covering 1.075 hectares affecting 17 farmers from three barangays. E.B Magalona reported rice crop damages worth P44,370 covering 9.60 hectares. E.B Magalona have also reported the highest fishery production losses brought by Agaton which amounted at P1,070,125, affecting 118 fisherfolk and a fishermen’s association. Damages in the said town were 688.5 units of fish corrals, fishing gear and oyster culture project. Escalante City reported a damaged fishpond (dikes and fish cage) valued at P130,000. Bago also reported P270,000 due to damaged gill nets in the city, and Cadiz City also reported damaged fishing gears valued at P35,300. Manapla and Sipalay City also reported damaged bancas valued at P109,000 and P70,000 respectively. Rice damages could still be recovered as crops in most of the areas affected are in reproductive and ripening stage, he said. Fishery damages were mostly fishing equipment ad Masculino said they are now finding ways to help affected fisherfolk.