‘Odette’ wrecks Cebu City crops
by Philip A. Cerojano
NEARLY P80 million worth of damage was left by Typhoon Odette (Rai) to farmers in 28 mountain barangays in Cebu City.
This after City Agriculturist Joelito Baclayon conducted an ocular inspection in the farms of 5,580 farmers affected by the typhoon.
“We estimate that 80 to 90 percent of our crops and farmers are affected. The estimated value of the products damaged reached P78.9 million,” Baclayon said in a mix of Cebuano and English.
Baclayon said 80 percent of vegetables planted in Cebu City were damaged; bananas, 90 percent; mango trees, 50 percent; and flowers and other agricultural products, 60 percent.
Baclayon said there are 12,000 estimated farmers in Cebu City and fisherfolk who live by the sea.
Of the number, 8,500 have registered with the Cebu City Government where their products are insured.
Baclayon also said at least P60 million was allocated by Cebu City for the farmers’ recovery program.
Baclayon said it will take a few months for the mountains to recover from the disaster wrought by Typhoon Odette.
Visayas-Mindanao
Meanwhile, nearly P400 million worth of agriculture and infrastructure was damaged by Odette in the Visayas-Mindanao area, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Tuesday, December 21, 2021.
The NDRRMC said a total of P225,307,000 worth of infrastructure, including government facilities, flood control systems, bridges, health facilities and roads was destroyed by the typhoon. This also includes 6,184 residential houses.
In the agriculture sector, the bureau said a total of P162,878,949 was damaged, including 6,893.77 hectares of crops.
The NDRRMC said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as electric companies, are continuously conducting clearing operations in affected areas, particularly in erecting or removing damaged electric posts and trees.
The DPWH released P100 million in funds for the clearing operations.
Based on its latest tally, the NDRRMC said Odette affected a total of 304,837 families or 1,113,373 individuals in 3,238 barangays.
A total of 481,196 persons displaced by the typhoon are now in 2,526 evacuation centers in affected localities, the NDRRMC said.
The NDRRMC earlier recorded 156 Odette-related deaths in the Visayas and some parts of Mindanao. The agency also recorded flooding in 58 areas and 10 landslide incidents.
The NDRRMC said a total of four airports remained non-operational due to the damage.
It said 122 ports also suspended trips due to the effects of Odette, but 55 ports later resumed operations, particularly in Calabarzon, Bicol, Mimaropa, Central Luzon and Caraga. (SunStar Philippines)
