BAGUIO CITY -- Three deaths, one missing, and P46-million damage to agriculture were recorded in the Cordillera Region (CAR) amid incessant monsoon rains enhanced by a series of storms and low pressure areas in the first three weeks of August.
On August 16, the town of Lacub in Abra was also declared in a state of calamity.
Based on its latest situation report on Friday, August 24, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Cordillera said the biggest damage was recorded on crops at P32.8 million, covering vegetables, fruits, rice, and corn.
Paracelis in Mountain Province recorded the most damage in corn crops, reaching P9.6 million. Rice damage was biggest in the towns of La Paz and Villaviciosa, Abra, pegged at P8.7 million.
The OCD also reported that at least 133 partially damaged houses and 13 others completely destroyed throughout the region during the three-week period.
The soaked-up soil in the mountainous region led to eight incidents of eroded riprap and collapsed wall and 49 incidents of landslide and soil erosions.
Floods affected over 15,000 people from 3,477 families, mostly in Abra province (3,233), Benguet (178), and Mountain Province (66).
Three persons were reportedly injured, three dead, and one still missing in Mankayan, Benguet as of August 24.
More landslides and road cuts continue to take place in the region as the rains stay unabated. (PNA)