Deaths reported due to Tropical Depression “Agaton” rose to 178, disaster officials said Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture said damage and losses amounting to P2.3 billion affected 54,013 farmers and fishers, with a production loss of 70.064 metric tons and 25,632 hectares of agricultural lands.
Affected commodities include rice, corn, high-value crops, livestock, and fisheries. Damage has also been incurred in agricultural infrastructure.
The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 156 of the fatalities were reported from Eastern Visayas, 17 were from Western Visayas, three were from Davao, and two were from Central Visayas.
The NDRRMC said 111 people were reported missing while eight were injured due to Agaton.
Of the reported deaths, however, only 18 have so far been confirmed, the agency said.
The storm affected more than 2 million people or 600,062 families in 2,427 barangays in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, Caraga, and Bangsamoro.
Of these, 109,721 people or 29,978 families were seeking shelter in 450 evacuation centers.
The storm damaged 11,279 houses—10,519 partially and 760 totally—in Bicol, Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Davao, Soccsksargen, and Caraga.
Damage to agriculture reached P257 million in Western Visayas, Eastern Visayas, Northern Mindanao, Soccsksargen, and Bangsamoro.
The NDRRMC also said P6.95 million worth of damage in infrastructure was reported in Western Visayas, Central Visayas, Northern Mindanao, and Bangsamoro.
The storm caused 462 flooding incidents, 98 landslides, six flash floods, and three maritime incidents. At least 58 roads and eight bridges were still impassable.
Seventy-six cities and municipalities experienced power interruption, of which 12 have been restored. Three areas also experienced water supply interruptions.
Eighteen cities and municipalities declared a state of calamity, including Sara, Lemery, Passi, Pototan, and Batad in Iloilo, Cateel in Davao Oriental, Trento in Agusan del Sur, and the entire province of Davao de Oro.
The DA said it has secured at least P662.5 million in assistance to affected farmers and fisherfolk in the wake of the damage caused by Agaton in regions in the Visayas and Mindanao.
Assistant Secretary Arnel de Mesa assured the public that regional responses are in place, including the distribution of seedlings and indemnification.