Damage and losses to Zambales agriculture due to heavy rains and floods have reached P37.55 million, based on the latest data from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office on Sunday (Aug. 30)
According to Rolex Estella, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office, the tally is the accumulated losses from the habagat and tropical cyclones.
Rice accounted for the biggest share of the losses at P21.58 million with damages in 1,069.42 hectares of farmland affecting 1,267 farmers, based on the assessment of the Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA).
The municipality of Sta. Cruz recorded the highest rice losses at P11.38 million, followed by the towns of San Antonio with P2.8 million and Subic with P2.05 million.
High-value crops sustained P10.7 million in losses, affecting 358 farmers and 73.64 hectares.
Sta. Cruz also recorded the highest losses in high-value crops at P4.03 million, followed by the town of Botolan at P3.54 million and Subic at P1.69 million.
The assessment also included damage to agricultural facilities, irrigation systems and farm equipment.
Agricultural infrastructure sustained P1.21 million in damage, including a pig pen in Barangay Sta. Fe, San Marcelino, which was washed out and covered by mud.
Damage to agricultural machinery and equipment reached P1.55 million, including farm machinery in Sta. Fe, San Marcelino that was either washed away by floodwaters or buried under soil deposits.
A hand-held agricultural tractor in Barangay Bayto, Sta. Cruz, was also partially damaged.
The assessment also placed damage to a small water impounding project in Barangay Amungan, Iba, at P700,000 after its embankment slope and foundation were undermined.
Fisheries were also affected, with losses of P906,220 in capture fisheries and P796,065 in aquaculture.
Separately, the Provincial Veterinary Office reported the loss of 193 animals valued at P1.18 million.
The figures, said Estella, remain a progress report as assessment and validation of losses continue in affected areas.
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Zambales earlier declared the province under a state of calamity following the widespread flooding and damage caused by the successive episodes of heavy rains.