By CESAR JOLITO III

Typhoon “Tino” has caused an estimated P21 million worth of damage to agriculture and livelihoods in Moises Padilla, initial assessments from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) showed.

The municipality’s agriculture sector bore the brunt of the damage, amounting to P14.2 million.

Of this, rice production suffered the most, with losses reaching P11.9 million after flash floods ravaged 288.92 hectares of farmland cultivated by 316 farmers.

Barangay Macagahay was identified as the hardest hit in terms of crop devastation, while livestock and poultry losses were concentrated in Barangays Crossing Magallon, 1 and 3.

The local government also reported P6.5 million in damage to poultry farms and P300,000 to fishponds.

Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo said the municipality continues to assess the full extent of the destruction brought by Typhoon “Tino,” which left vast portions of the town submerged in floodwaters over the weekend.

“We are still consolidating reports from various barangays to determine the total damage and identify immediate recovery assistance for our affected farmers and livestock raisers,” Yulo said.

Moises Padilla is among the southern Negros towns severely affected by the typhoon, which caused flash floods, power interruptions and extensive agricultural losses across the province.

Provincial officials earlier said that emergency assistance for affected localities is being coordinated with national agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and the Office of Civil Defense./CJ, WDJ