P10.2-billion worth of damage incurred in agriculture sector due to 'Lawin', DA says
The damage brought by Super Typhoon Lawin (Haima) to agriculture sector was initially pegged at P10.2 billion, according to the Department of Agriculture.
Agriculture Secretary Emmanuel Pinol said on Sunday the figure could still increase as his office continues to collate reports coming from different areas affected by the weather disturbance.
"Typhoon Lawin caused much damage to agriculture sector than Typhoon Karen," he said in a radio interview.
Karen smashed Luzon days before Lawin hit the country.
Meanwhile, the National Risk Reduction and Management Council has a lower estimate as to the damage caused by Lawin to agriculture and infrastructure.
The estimated losses amounted to P2.048 billion covering Regions I, II, III and Cordillera Administrative Region.
Of the total estimated cost, P1.402 billion was for infrastructure, while P645.516 million for the agriculture sector.
NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan, in a television interview, said the government did not seek for foreign assistance since the Department of Social Welfare and Development still has enough relief supplies.
But she said some neighboring countries in Southeast Asia have offered help.
NDRRMC executive director Ricardo Jalad earlier said that there were 16 people who were killed during the onslaught of Lawin.
But they were still verifying if they died due to super typhoon. Ella Dionisio/DMS
