Taal eruption causes P3.17B in agri damages

The eruption of Taal Volcano has caused an estimated P3.17 billion in agricultural damages, with the fisheries sector accounting for more than half of the total.

The ashfall damaged 43,772 metric tons of agricultural commodities and over 15,790 hectares of land in CALABARZON.

The eruption also caused the death of 55,881 farm animals, an increase attributed to additional reports from validated areas in Batangas and Cavite.

Fisheries losses amounted to P1.6 billion, affecting municipalities in Batangas.

The pineapple industry incurred P527.25 million in damages, primarily in Cavite.

Coffee damage reached P360.5 million, affecting several areas in Batangas, Laguna, and Cavite.

The ashfall previously forced the suspension of financial markets and the closure of the Manila airport, and a 14-kilometer danger zone around the volcano remains off-limits.