Manila: The combined damage to agriculture and infrastructure from the effects of tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon, locally known as 'habagat', has climbed to around PHP18.68 billion, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said on Wednesday. The agency reported that agricultural damage reached approximately PHP4.37 billion, while infrastructure damage was pegged at PHP14.31 billion.

According to Philippines News Agency, the agricultural damage was recorded across several regions including Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas. The infrastructure damage was similarly widespread, impacting the Ilocos Region, Cordillera, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, and Western Visayas.

The NDRRMC highlighted that a total of 98,836 farmers and fisherfolk were affected by the storms, which damaged crop areas totaling an estimated 81,305.9 hectares. Of these, around 57,379.59 hectares of crop areas have a chance to recover, while approximately 23,926.31 hectares were deemed to have no chance of recovery.

The report also noted that damaged houses numbered 4,384, located across the seven affected regions. The human toll included 44 fatalities, 18 injuries, and five individuals reported missing.