'Paeng' damage to agriculture, infrastructure now at over P11B

The damage wrought by severe tropical storm "Paeng" to agriculture and infrastructure is now at over P11 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Thursday, Nov. 10.

In a ground situation update, the NDRRC said Western Visayas was the hardest hit in terms of agriculture damage with more than P1.8 billion, followed by Cagayan Valley Region with P1.2 billion and Bicol Region with P924 million.

The total damage to agriculture was at almost P6.2 billion as of Nov. 10.

In terms of infrastructure with more than P5 billion damage, the NDRRMC said Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) reported P1.5 billion damage while P793 million damage was reported in Bicol region.

Almost 48,000 houses, on the other hand, were either partially or totally damaged in almost all regions in the country.

"Paeng" left the country's area of responsibility but the extent of damage was enormous due to landslides and widespread flooding.

Based on the latest data, a total of 159 people died while 30 others are still missing.

A total of four regions, six provinces and 31 cities and municipalities declared a state of calamity as a result of the devastation.

Communication lines in some of the hardest-hit areas are not fully restored.