Tropical Storm Paeng inundated 44.4 hectares of rice fields and vegetable farms in the city with estimated damage reaching P1,862,958.75, according to the City Agriculturist Office.
A total of 52 farmers – 50 engaged in rice planting and 2 vegetable farmers, were affected by the calamity.
In a progress report submitted to the Office of the City Mayor, City Agriculturist Carmencita Sanchez said hardest hit were 44 hectares of rice fields in the districts of Vitali (22.45 hectares), Manicahan (12.5 hectares) and Ayala (9 hectares). Damage to rice crops is estimated to have reached P1,660,458.8.
On the other hand, flooding spawned by TS Paeng also damaged .45 hectares of vegetable farms in Pamucutan under Ayala District (.25 hectares) and Bolong under Manicahan District (.20 hectares) with a total damage of P202,500.
Most of the vegetable crops destroyed were ampalaya.
Heavy rains battered the city October 27 and 28, causing flash floods and other rain-related hazards to include landslides, toppling trees, and destroying infrastructures in 42 barangays.
More than 5,000 families were evacuated to safer grounds during the onslaught of TS Paeng.
One person perished, as 4 others remain missing as of posting time.
Meanwhile damage to infrastructures is still being assessed by the City Engineer’s Office. (Sheila Covarrubias, photo courtesy of City Agriculturist Office)
(Source: City Government of Zamboanga Facebook page)