GENERAL SANTOS CITY – Damage to agriculture from severe tropical storm “Paeng” was pegged at P99 million in the South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, and General Santos (SOCCSKSARGEN) region.
The Office of the Civil Defense-12 reported that Paeng affected 3,500 hectares planted to high-value crops, rice, and corn and displaced 3,000 farmers.
Eighty fishing boats were destroyed by the storm surge that hit several coastal barangays in the region.
Disaster officials said flashflood triggered by Paeng destroyed 1,200 houses and displaced 19,000 people in more than 100 barangays in SOCCSKSARGEN.
Some 15,000 displaced individuals are still staying in evacuation centers and temporary shelters.
Four people, including a two-year-old boy, drowned in flashflood in Lebak and Kalamansig towns in Sultan Kudarat and Lake Sebu, South Cotabato while one was reported missing in Pigcawayan, North Cotabato.
The town of Libungan, North Cotabato and Pigcawayan were placed under state of calamity after several barangays were severely hit by flashflood.
Personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development-12 onboard military helicopters distributed food packs to affected families in far-flung barangays in Region 12.