TROPICAL Storm (TS) Paeng inundated 44.4 hectares of rice fields and vegetable farms in Zamboanga City with estimated damage reaching P1.8 million, an official reported.
City Agriculturist Carmencita Sanchez said a total of 52 farmers—50 engaged in rice planting and two vegetable farmers—were affected by the onslaught of Paeng.
Sanchez, in her report to Mayor John Dalipe, said the hardest hit were 44 hectares of rice fields in the districts of Vitali (22.45 hectares), Manicahan (12.5 hectares) and Ayala (nine hectares).
Damage to rice crops is estimated to have reached P1.6 million.
On the other hand, Sanchez said that flooding spawned by TS Paeng also damaged .45 hectares of vegetable farms in Pamucutan village under Ayala District (.25 hectares) and Bolong under Manicahan District (.20 hectares) with a total damage of P202,500.
“Most of the vegetable crops destroyed were ampalaya (bitter Gourd),” Sanches said.
Heavy rains battered this city Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, causing flash floods and other rain-related hazards including landslides, toppling trees and destroying infrastructures in 42 villages.
More than 5,000 families were evacuated to safer grounds during the onslaught of TS Paeng. (SunStar Zamboanga)