THE agro-fishery sector of Macabebe, Pampanga, took a serious hit from the onslaught of the southwest monsoon or "habagat" and floods induced by Typhoon Luis last week.
According to Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Jomel Cruz, a total of 884 hectares of fishponds operated by 387 owners were affected by weather disturbances.
The massive flooding brought about by rains led to the loss of thousands of kilos of vanamei (shrimps), sugpo (prawns), milkfish, tilapia, and crabs amounting to a total of P70,700,350, Cruz said.
He said loss from shrimps alone accounted to a total of P26,025,900, while the amount of damaged tilapia reached P17,417,250 and sugpo at P11,935,000. The fishery sector also recorded a loss of P10,400,000 for crabs and P4,925,250 for milkfish.
Cruz said all affected fishpond operators that reported to the local government were already endorsed to the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as priority beneficiaries for fingerling assistance.
Cruz, meanwhile, noted that the fishermen in this town will continue to experience the effects of the past heavy downpour of rains as almost all the barangays in the town are still submerged in floodwaters.
He urged affected fishermen to continue reporting to the local government, through the Municipal Agriculture Office, the situation in their area to receive proper assistance from the government.