Philippine Typhoon Damages Reach $228 Million

Vittorio Hernandez

Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines

Damage caused by the two typhoons that battered the Philippines last week was estimated at $228 million (PHP 10 billion) by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Wednesday.

Hardest hit was the region of central Luzon with an estimated damage of $161.7 million (PHP 7.092 billion), of which $137.8 million (PHP 6.044 billion) were agricultural crops. Heavy rainfall from typhoons Nesat and Nalgae and water released by dam operators resulted in several provinces in the region still chest-deep in waters.

NDRRMC Executive Director Benito Ramos said cost of damage may exceed that caused by Typhoon Ketsana exactly two years ago.

Among the infrastructure affected by the floods are 66 bridges and road sections in the Ilocos, Cagayan, Central Luzon and Cordillera administrative regions.

Since thousands of residents had to be evacuated, 115 schools were used as temporary shelters, disrupting classes.

To provide relief to the flood victims, several government agencies pooled a total of $1.9 million (PHP 83 million) in funds, which is being augmented by private donations and relief operations carried out by several private organizations.

The Philippine Crop Insurance Corp. said Wednesday that it will speed up the release of $5 million (PHP 223 million) to Luzon farmers affected by the typhoons. It is the largest payout the PCIC has made to date, according to the agency.

Based on a preliminary assessment of the damages, the PCIC said $7.6 million (PHP 333.93 million) worth of crops, mostly palay, were insured in 30 Luzon provinces. It covers almost 27,000 farmers who till a combined farm area of 40,000 hectares.

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World - Philippine Typhoon Damages Reach $228 Million