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Mindoro farmers appeal for help after floods destroy rice fields

Article (news)

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Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

<p>ORIENTAL MINDORO -- The extensive damage to the rice fields and infrastructure in Oriental Mindoro is becoming evident as floodwaters begin to subside in the province.</p><p>According to the latest report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the damage to agriculture has reached P258-million, while infrastructure damage -- including destroyed roads and flood control projects -- is estimated at P67-M.</p><p>Known as one of the country&#x27;s top rice-producing provinces, rice farmers are among those devastated by severe floodings. The farmers are now facing uncertainty, unsure of how to start again after losing their hard-earned crops.</p><p>The families of the affected farmers, who have now lost their source of livelihood, are appealing for food assistance.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/7/25/25-dead-due-to-tropical-cyclones-habagat-ndrrmc-0913">READ: 25 reported dead due to tropical cyclones, habagat -- NDRRMC</a></div><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/weather-traffic/2025/7/25/-emong-slightly-weakens-as-it-moves-away-from-batanes-2323">READ: ‘Emong’ slightly weakens as it moves away from Batanes</a></div><p>&quot;Nagsignify na rin ng tulong ang ating national na pamahalaan gaya ng DSWD, OCD at iba pang mga ahensya para tumugon,&quot; said Vicente Gahol, head of Oriental Mindoro PDRRMO, on DZMM Teleradyo.</p><p>&quot;Pagkain ang pangunahin natin ibinibigay dahil sa ilang araw nang nasa evacuation center sila at walang naging  trabaho noong mga nakaraang araw, walang pagkain yung ating mga kababayan,&quot; he added.</p><p>A total of 35,285 families, or 134,426 individuals, have been affected across Oriental Mindoro by the southwest monsoon (habagat), intensified by Tropical Cyclones Dante and Emong.</p><p>Some 838 families or 3,325 individuals remain in evacuation centers.</p><p>The municipality of Naujan was the most heavily affected, with 57 barangays submerged, followed by Calapan City with 39, Baco with 24, and both Victoria and Pola with 16 barangays each.</p><p>There were also 12 landslides recorded, 8 of which occurred in Puerto Galera, a popular tourist destination.</p><p>Authorities continue to monitor rivers throughout the province, many of which remain at critical levels.</p><p>Oriental Mindoro has now been officially placed under a state of calamity after the Sangguniang Panlalawigan  approved the request of Governor Humerlito &quot;Bonz&quot;  Dolor.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/7/25/oriental-mindoro-placed-under-state-of-calamity-2111">READ: Oriental Mindoro placed under state of calamity</a></div>

<p>The extensive damage to the rice fields and infrastructure in Oriental Mindoro is becoming evident as floodwaters begin to subside in the province.</p>

The extensive damage to the rice fields and infrastructure in Oriental Mindoro is becoming evident as floodwaters begin to subside in the province.