Manila: Tropical cyclones Luis and Maymay, along with the enhanced southwest monsoon, have resulted in at least PHP11.1 million in initial damage to the agriculture sector of La Union, as reported by the provincial disaster office on Friday. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) confirmed that this estimate arises from preliminary reports from the municipalities of Agoo, Bauang, Pugo, Bagulin, Naguilian, and San Gabriel as of 9 a.m.

According to Philippines News Agency, the agricultural damage has affected at least 411 farmers, with reports indicating destruction across 472.37 hectares of farmland. The impact on fisherfolk is still under assessment. The data from PDRRMO highlights that the vegetable sector suffered the highest losses, amounting to more than PHP7.5 million. This is followed by damages worth over PHP2 million in the fruit sector and PHP947,846 in the rice sector.

Additionally, the fisheries sector experienced losses of PHP295,110, while damages to irrigation facilities reached PHP300,000. The destruction of root crops was estimated at PHP2,600. The provincial government is actively working to gather more comprehensive damage reports from other local government units.

In response to the situation, authorities have distributed 2,900 food packs to 16 local government units impacted by the adverse weather conditions. The PDRRMO documented 40 flooding incidents across Bauang, Agoo, Bangar, Santo Tomas, Naguilian, and San Fernando City.

Overall, 5,547 families, equating to 16,545 individuals from 169 barangays in 17 municipalities, have been affected. Out of these, 788 families, or 2,246 individuals, are currently residing in 61 evacuation centers, while 531 families, or 1,655 people, have sought refuge outside designated evacuation facilities.

Structural damage was also reported, with 13 houses affected in San Fernando City, Agoo, Bauang, Caba, Naguilian, and Santo Tomas. Furthermore, two houses in Bauang and Naguilian were completely destroyed.