LEGAZPI CITY - The damage to agriculture and infrastructure in the Bicol region caused by Severe Tropical Storm Kristine (international name: Trami) has reached nearly PHP3 billion as of Monday. The Department of Agriculture (DA) 5 (Bicol) reported more than PHP2.1 billion in initial damage to the agricultural sector. In a progress report, DA-5 spokesperson Lovella Guarin said Kristine had impacted about 103,145.54 metric tons (MT) of rice, corn, cassava, and high-value crops across 33,913.72 hectares of farmland. "We have 37,795 farmers and fishermen affected by 'Kristine'. We are still consolidating reports, and as a progress update, we expect additional information in the coming days," she said. As per the report, Camarines Sur incurred the highest agricultural damage estimated at PHP1.027 billion, followed by Albay with PHP403 million; Masbate with PHP264 million; Camarines Norte with PHP226 million; Sorsogon with PHP108 million; and Catanduanes with PHP70.98 million. Guarin said rice, covering 33,37 7.07 hectares or 96,283 MT, suffered the most significant losses among all commodities; followed by high-value crops across 362 hectares, resulting in 6,283 MT of losses; and yellow corn across 106 hectares, with 471 MT losses. Meanwhile, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) 5 (Bicol) reported infrastructure damage amounting to PHP855 million. In an interview, OCD 5 spokesperson Gremil Alexis Naz said the data was collected from the six provincial disaster risk reduction management offices and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). "This includes damage to covered courts, multi-purpose buildings, bridges, public markets, schools, evacuation centers, health facilities, and roads," he said. The OCD also reported that 24,522 houses were damaged, with 2,053 classified as "totally damaged" and 22,469 as "partially damaged." The number of reported deaths is currently being validated at 39, while 28 individuals were injured and four are still missing. Source: Philippines News Agency