Over 15,000 Central Luzon farmers affected by storms, monsoon

City of San Fernando, Pampanga — A total of 15,356 farmers in Central Luzon have been affected by the onslaught of three tropical storms and continuous rains brought by the southwest monsoon.

According to a report by the Department of Agriculture Regional Field Office 3 (DA RFO 3), the affected farmers came from six out of the seven provinces in the region.

Tarlac recorded the highest number of affected farmers at 5,185, followed by Pampanga with 3,888, Nueva Ecija with 3,658, Bulacan with 1,283, Bataan with 960, and Zambales with 382.

The DA RFO 3 also reported that 18,700.51 hectares of farmland were hit by the inclement weather, with Tarlac again leading at 6,049.99 hectares. Pampanga followed with 5,304.78 hectares, Nueva Ecija with 4,661.67 hectares, Bulacan with 1,449.62 hectares, Bataan with 850.88 hectares, and Zambales with 383.57 hectares.

Total agricultural losses have amounted to P325,066,690.24. Pampanga bore the brunt with P151,243,190.96 in damages, followed by Tarlac with P86,523,225.77, Nueva Ecija with P41,810,468.49, Bulacan with P27,109,604.58, Bataan with P15,326,960.71, and Zambales with P3,053,239.72.