Gov't Urged to Expedite Repair of Typhoon-Damaged Infrastructure

SENATOR Francis Pancratius N. Pangilinan on Monday asked the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Agriculture (DA) to conduct immediate assessment and repairs of damaged agricultural infrastructure following recent typhoons. In a press statement, Mr. Pangilinan, who chairs the Senate Committee on Agriculture, called for the quick restoration of farm-to-market roads, irrigation systems, and bridges affected by the heavy rains caused by Tropical Cyclone Pilandok, adding that available funds must be released and utilized for rehabilitation. “The impact of flooding and crop damage is not just a matter of infrastructure and harvests. It is a matter of food. We in the city will also be affected if the harvests from the farms or the catch from the sea cannot be brought down,” he said. The National Risk Reduction Management Council on Aug. 31 reported that agricultural damage has reached P2.32 billion. Mr. Pangilinan cautioned that prolonged damage to agricultural infrastructure may threaten food supply. Citing data from the DA, Mr. Pangilinan said weather disturbances have impacted about 69,615 farmers in the Cordillera, Ilocos, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Mimaropa, Bicol and Western Visayas regions, with 60,896 metric tons of crops damaged. — Kaela Patricia B. Gabriel