December 26, 2024

Damages, losses from volcanic eruption in Negros Island Region, Philippines, at US$591,000, affecting crops and animals

Damage and losses in Negros Island Region, the Philippines, due to the December 9 eruption of Kanlaon volcano, has reached ₱32,830,369 (US$591,000), affecting 298 hectares of agricultural crops and 1,881 animals, as well as less than a hectare of fishpond, according to a report of the Negros Occidental Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), as of December 21.

Based on a report of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist, which was submitted to the PDRRMC, damage to high-value commercial crops (HVCC) was pegged at ₱29,268,182 (US$527,000), rice at ₱2,576,406 (US$46,400), and corn at ₱503,352.50 (US$9,060), all in La Castellana, and the cities of La Carlota and Bago.

Damage to livestock was reported at ₱268,429.50 (US$4,830) and ₱214,000 (US$ 3,850) to aquaculture, according to PDRRMC reports.

In a report to Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officer Irene Bel Ploteña said that there are 6,585 families composed of 21,714 persons, affected by the eruption, in 21 barangays of seven local government units in the province.

The Provincial Veterinary Office also reported that a total of 684 heads of animals, owned by 132 animal raisers, were rescued and evacuated to the Colegio de La Castellana track oval in Barangay Robles, La Castellana.

- The Visayan Daily Star