Tropical Storm Kabayan Causes PHP7 Million Agricultural Damage in Davao de Oro

 DAVAO CITY – The Department of Agriculture in Davao Region (DA-11) reported on Thursday that the agricultural crop damage in Davao de Oro province caused by Tropical Storm (TS) Kabayan has reached PHP7 million.

During a virtual press briefing, Joedel Leliza, the DA-11 regional focal for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, disclosed that the recorded damage for rice crops amounted to approximately PHP4.8 million. This affected 1,615 rice farmers, with 892 hectares of rice fields destroyed.

Leliza highlighted that the damage to rice crops primarily involved seedlings and impacted municipalities such as Mawab, Montevista, Compostela, and Laak. The overall loss will significantly affect the rice supply in the province, with an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 metric tons lost.

On the other hand, damage to corn crops was estimated at PHP2.2 million, affecting 57 farmers working on 76 hectares of land. The damaged cornfields are located in Monkayo town.

While awaiting the finalization of the damage report, DA-11 is gearing up for the rehabilitation of the affected farmlands. Tropical Storm Kabayan made landfall in Mindanao on December 18 in Manay town of the province but later weakened to a low-pressure area as it traversed the island region. (PNA)