Mitch Journals

An estimated half a billion pesos worth of crops was destroyed by the onslaught of tropical depression “Ondoy,” Agriculture Secretary Arthur Yap said today (Sept. 28)

In a radio interview, Yap said P500 million worth of crops, mostly palay, were reported to have been destroyed in Central Luzon.

However, on the flip side, Yap said heavy rains brought by “Onday” filled most dams, resulting in a better irrigation system that would boost rice production next year. He estimated that 12,000 to 15,000 hectares of rice fields in Central Luzon will be fully irrigated during the dry season in 2010.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesman, has placed the damage to property caused by massive flooding at P108.9 million.

Rescuers have already recovered a total of 7,908 people from areas submerged in flood water, Brawner added.