Benguet damages reach P1.9 million

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet -- Damage to the province caused by Typhoon Gener has reached P1.9 million.

Governor Nestor Fongwan said the damage tally to crops and infrastructure facilities is at its minimal stage because reports from other municipalities have not been submitted as of the moment.

“We are still waiting for the compete reports,” he said.

Crop damage is pegged at P1,421,683.80, while infrastructure damage that includes irrigation, canals, farmlands and greenhouses has reached P500,000, based on the partial report of the office of the Provincial Agriculturist here.

Crops affected were chayote, sweet pepper, cucumber, cauliflower, broccoli, lettuce, garden peas, snap beans, Chinese cabbage, cabbage, carrots and potatoes.

For the province, total farmers affected have reached 1,582, with 559 hectares of farm lands suffering from the wrath of the typhoon.

Crops most expensively damaged are potatoes with seedlings P78,798,000 and vegetables wasted pegged at P440,748,020, followed by cabbages with seedlings wasted at P118,584,00 and full blown vegetables at P315,654.90.

Fongwan said the damages seem minimal but they have to wait for the complete report to be able to assess the total damages.

The governor will submit the report to Department of Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, who is in town for a visit in Baguio and Benguet.

Nationwide, initial estimates on the destruction caused by Typhoon Gener were placed at P2.130 million. The government has provided P1.530 million worth of assistance to the different regions affected by the typhoon.