Typhoon #TinoPH causes over PHP65M in damage across Iloilo, Negros Occidental

ILOILO CITY — Typhoon Tino left widespread damage across Iloilo and Negros Occidental, with combined agricultural, fishery, and housing losses exceeding P65 million, according to provincial disaster reports.

In Iloilo, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) recorded P30.29 million in damage affecting 1,492 farmers and fisherfolk. The fishery sector was hit hardest, with P14.18 million in losses, while rice crops sustained P10.28 million in damage. Of the 584.84 hectares of palay planted, 124.01 hectares were destroyed and 460.83 hectares damaged. High-value crops suffered P3.33 million in losses, while corn damage totaled P2.42 million.

Felina Grace Basco, Officer-in-Charge of the Provincial Agriculturist Office, said affected farmers are covered by the Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation (PCIC). She noted that the provincial government released PHP10 million in September to pay insurance premiums for farmers not listed under the Registry System for Basic Sectors in Agriculture, following a PHP15-million allocation last year. Once full damage assessments are completed, authorities will finalize additional interventions, including access to the PHP50-million national government assistance package for affected farmers.

Typhoon Tino also destroyed 51 homes and partially damaged 1,148 others in Iloilo.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported P35 million in initial agricultural and fishery losses. Damage assessments showed 956.83 hectares of rice fields affected across 89 barangays in 13 LGUs, impacting 1,145 farmers, with losses reaching P24.85 million. High-value crops sustained P3.296 million in losses, while corn damage amounted to P387,682, affecting 62 farmers. The fishery sector recorded P6.47 million in losses in two LGUs.

A climate resiliency task force has been activated to oversee continuous monitoring, while agriculturists, agricultural engineers, and aquaculture technicians conduct on-site verification. Report officers and validators remain on standby to finalize and update assessments.