P29M damage to Calabarzon irrigation systems; Laguna hardest hit

Supertyphoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon caused P29.1 million worth of damage to government irrigation systems in Calabarzon, affecting 4,987 hectares of farmland and 6,034 farmers with an estimated PHP111.81 million loss in agricultural crops, particularly rice.

Laguna province suffered the most significant damage with losses totaling P80 million in communal and national irrigation systems, including PHP45.8 million in communal and PHP34 million in national systems.

Infrastructure damages include a 20-meter collapsed canal lining in Mabitac, Laguna, damaged sluice gates in Tanza, Cavite, and brass dams and river channels in Infanta, Quezon.

The National Irrigation Administration-IV-A has estimated repair costs of P5.1 million for immediate work and another P24 million for extensive repairs to restore the facilities.

Since last week, NIA field personnel have been working with irrigators associations to clear debris and restore water flow in irrigation canals.