Kristine causes P11B damage, P4.85B in agri losses

Severe Tropical Storms Kristine caused P11 billion in total damage across the Philippines, with P4.85 billion attributed to agriculture and P6.830 billion to infrastructure, according to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday.

The majority of agricultural damages occurred in the Bicol Region at P2.87 billion, followed by Mimaropa with P736 million and Central Luzon with P419 million.

High-value crops suffered a loss of 580,367 metric tons worth P408.09 million, while livestock and poultry saw 5,497 heads destroyed at a cost of P12.14 million.

Infrastructure damages include the destruction of 852 assets such as roads, schools, flood control structures, government facilities, health centers, bridges, and utility service facilities.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) has allocated additional funds to assist farmers through various programs including seeds and medicine for livestock, bringing the total assistance to P541.02 million.