By Martin Sadongdong
In less than 24 hours, the Bicol region has incurred a whopping P667,331,940 damage to agriculture from typhoon "Tisoy" (international name: “Kammuri”), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Wednesday.
Virac, Catanduanes after Typhoon Tisoy (Jinky Tabor/ MANILA BULLETIN)
OCD Bicol (OCD-5) Regional Director Claudio Yucot said the biggest loss --P489,644,400-- came from the coconut industry where at least 5,800 hectares of the produce were destroyed by the typhoon.
A total of 1,200 hectares of rice were also wiped out in the region, dealing P72 million worth of losses. Some 1,200 hectares of fruit trees (P36 million) were also affected as well as 800 hectares (P16 million) of bananas.
The losses from cacao produce amounted to P14.76 million; P9.7 million from root crops; and P2.8 million from corn and vegetables.
In the fisheries sector, at least P13 million worth of losses were recorded from the destruction of 100 hectares of fish ponds due to the punishing rains.
Some 20 fishing boats were also destroyed by the typhoon, which amounted to a total loss of P1.2 million.
In the livestock industry, some P6.25 million worth of losses from poultry and fowls were listed while P5.4 million more were noted due to the deaths of swines.
Yucot said the reports were as of 7 p.m. Tuesday, or about 20 hours since “Tisoy” made landfall in Gubat, Sorsogon at around 11 p.m. Monday.
Casualties
At least 11 people were reported to have died due to the onslaught of Tisoy.
However, Mark Timbal, spokesperson of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), said they have yet to verify the reports from the ground.
According to police and local government officials, five of the fatalities were in the Bicol region, five in Mimaropa (Region 4B) and one in Eastern Visayas (Region 8).
Meanwhile, Yucot said three persons were injured in Camarines Norte after they were hit by the debris of collapsed houses.
They were identified as Norman Torres and Leofoldo Luccban, both of Labo town; and Dario Devera, of Paracale town.
Affected
The number of displaced residents had also increased in Bicol region - from 360,000 to 506,130.
The residents were from 17 areas in Albay, 12 in Camarines Norte, 37 in Camarines Sur, nine in Catanduanes, 14 in Sorsogon, and 12 in Masbate.
Houses
At least 6,710 houses were also damaged by “Tisoy” in the municipalities of Cabusao, Sipocot, Lupi, Libmanan and Nabua in Camarines Sur; and Sorsogon province.
State of calamity
The city government of Naga and the provincial government of Sorsogon have declared a state of calamity due to the devastating effects of “Tisoy,” Yucot confirmed.
The Naga City government issued Resolution No. 2019-484 on Tuesday, placing the city under a state of calamity, while Sorsogon has yet to release its resolution.