Zambales Agriculture Suffers P15 Million Damage Early This Season
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales – Zambales province has recorded at least P15 million in agricultural damage early this season due to the combined impact of the Southwest monsoon and three consecutive weather disturbances. These include Severe Tropical Storm “Crising” (international name: Wipha), Tropical Depression “Dante,” and Severe Tropical Storm “Emong,” local officials said.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported that flooding submerged 2,315.53 hectares of rice fields across 13 towns. The damage to rice crops alone amounts to P14,346,488, affecting around 2,460 farmers who rely on these fields for their livelihood.
Fishing and Aquaculture Also Impacted
In addition to crop damage, assessments revealed that 10 fishing boats and 66 fishing gears worth P615,000 were damaged in four coastal towns and a village in nearby Olongapo City. This has disrupted the work of at least 14 fishermen in the area.
Moreover, five tilapia aquafarms in San Marcelino town suffered damage, resulting in the loss of fish stocks valued at P61,330. These combined losses highlight the severe impact the weather disturbances have had on the province’s agriculture and fishing sectors.
Persistent Heavy Rainfall From Southwest Monsoon and Storms
Since last week, Zambales has been experiencing heavy rainfall caused by the southwest monsoon, locally called the habagat, along with the successive effects of “Crising” and “Dante.” The continuous downpour has led to widespread flooding and damage.
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) announced in a Friday morning advisory that “Emong” has weakened to a severe tropical storm as it moved over the mountainous areas of the Cordillera Administrative Region.
Despite this, Signal No. 1 warnings remain in effect for the northern part of Zambales, including Sta. Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, and the provincial capital Iba, as local leaders monitor ongoing weather conditions closely.
For more news and updates on Zambales agriculture damage early this season, visit Filipinokami.com.
