Agriculture, infrastructure damage caused by ‘Kristine’, ‘Leon’ balloons to P11.2B

Metro Manila, Philippines – The combined damage from Typhoon Kristine and Super Typhoon Leon has soared to over P11.2 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported on Friday, November 1.

The NDRRMC said that agricultural losses are estimated at more than P4.4 billion, heavily impacting the Bicol region, which sustained damages amounting to P2.83 billion.

Around 50,580 farmers and fisherfolk in the region were affected, comprising nearly half of the 105,258 impacted nationwide.

Additional significant agricultural losses were recorded in MIMAROPA at P736.4 million and Ilocos at P217.2 million.

Infrastructure damages were similarly extensive, reaching approximately P6.8 billion.

Bicol bore the majority of these losses, with infrastructure damage valued at over P5 billion.

Central Luzon reported infrastructure damages amounting to P1.05 billion, while the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions also incurred losses of P150.5 million and P256.3 million, respectively.

In response, the Department of Agriculture (DA) is providing emergency aid to affected farmers and fisherfolk, including seeds for rice, corn, and vegetables, as well as livestock medicines.

The DA is also working with the National Food Authority (NFA) to supply rice to local government units for distribution.

To aid in recovery, the DA offers loans of up to P25,000 through its zero-interest Survival and Recovery (SURE) Loan Program, with a three-year repayment term.

Additionally, insured farmers will receive compensation from the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation to ease financial strain.

The NDRRMC said the number of deaths from “Leon” and “Kristine” still stood at 150, with 30 still missing and 122 injured.

Over 7.95 million people or over 2 million families were affected across 17 regions.

Of the displaced, 311,980 individuals or 81,716 families are in evacuation centers, while 431,596 are sheltered elsewhere.