P23M worth of rice farms damaged in Abuyog due to heavy rains

By Provincial Media Relations Center
January 6, 2011

TACLOBAN CITY  –  More than 23 million worth of damaged crops in Abuyog town has been reported by the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council of Leyte following heavy rains that inundated the region and other parts of the country since the start of the new year.

In a report submitted to PDC-Leyte, about 1,935 rice farmers in various parts of Abuyog have various rice farms which are presently submerged in water since January 1.

1,950 hectares of seedlings and newly planted rice were affected which damage is estimated at P6,700 per hectare. The report further says these affected areas have no chance of recovery.

“That’s more than P13 million in production yield loss for the 1.9 hectares now submerged in water,” says Abuyog Municipal Agriculturist Gerardo Bauya.

Meanwhile, damaged rice farms at the tillering stage is more or less is 1,300 hectares with an estimated loss of more than P10 million. These 1,300 hectares of rice farms are however reported to have a chance of recovery.

On the other hand, a total of seven carabaos owned by farmers have been reported drowned since January 1. The livestock loss is estimated at P134, 000.

Earlier, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) has issued warning to various local disaster risk reduction and management councils to be on alert on 26 rivers in the region prone to flooding.

Twelve of these rivers are found in Leyte province including the Eastern Coastal River of Abuyog; Hibagdan River of Matalom; Bonguerogan-Salag River of Hilongos; Pagbanganan of Baybay; Ormoc Basin and Anilao River of Ormoc City.