Manila: The agriculture and infrastructure damage due to the effects of the southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Crising, Dante, and Emong last month is nearing the PHP20-billion mark. In its updated report, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said total agriculture damage was at PHP3.15 billion in 12 regions, most of it in Central Luzon at PHP1.7 billion.

According to Philippines News Agency, the severe weather also affected 98,307 farmers and fisherfolk. The Department of Agriculture (DA) earlier said it would provide at least PHP495.44 million worth of assistance to the disaster-hit farmers and fishers. The DA has activated its quick response fund to help rehabilitate affected farms, which are mostly in the early planting and vegetative stage.

Meanwhile, infrastructure damage was at PHP16.50 billion in 11 regions, with Central Luzon sustaining the most damage at PHP6.4 billion, according to the NDRRMC. Combined, total agriculture and infrastructure damage was at PHP19.67 billion.

As of the report, the number of families affected was at 2,664,125, which is equivalent to 9,727,886 persons, residing in 9,324 barangays in 17 regions nationwide.