Cheyenne Suarez

Habagat leaves ₱102M in agricultural damage in Oriental Mindoro; dikes collapse

Article (news)

Dennis Datu

ABS-CBN News

CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO - Floodwaters have receded in 79 barangays across six municipalities and one city in Oriental Mindoro, but the southwest monsoon, or habagat has left millions of pesos in damage across the province. Governor Humerlito “Bonz” Dolor said agricultural losses have already reached ₱102 million, with the figure expected to increase as authorities continue gathering damage reports from affected areas.Infrastructure also bore the brunt of the heavy rains and flooding, with several earth dikes and a road dike built by the provincial government along the Mag-asawang Tubig River in Naujan damaged or washed away.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/20/bulacan-declares-state-of-calamity-amid-widespread-flooding-1926">Bulacan declares state of calamity amid widespread flooding </a> </div>In Barangay Tagumpay, Naujan, raging floodwaters overwhelmed an earth dike that had been built to close the gaps between controversial flood control structures that were left disconnected. The temporary barrier was intended to prevent the river from spilling into nearby communities.But the surging river also swallowed a road dike in Barangay Arangin, Naujan, contributing to flooding in several parts of Naujan and nearby Calapan City. The Provincial Engineering Office is now waiting for the floodwaters to completely recede before beginning backfilling and repair work, as authorities race to reinforce the damaged sections ahead of another round of bad weather.“Pino-fortify muna natin yun road network ng Arangin para hindi totally masira, paghumupa ang tubig saka namin lalagyan ng tambak para mapanatili ang structural integrity. Kapag ito ang nasira, itong portion na ang malaking portion ng Naujan West, District 7 at District 8 plus Calapan na ang papasukin, ang babahain yung West Calapan at rice granary ito,” Dolor said.Meanwhile, 17 landslides were reported across Oriental Mindoro, one of which claimed a life in Puerto Galera. “Ibig sabihin ganoon kadami ang volume of water at malambot na ang lupa,” the governor added.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2026/8/20/thousands-of-rice-fields-at-risk-mangyan-communities-isolated-as-road-dike-collapses-1106">Thousands of rice fields at risk, Mangyan communities isolated as road dike collapses</a></div>Puerto Galera, one of the province’s most popular tourist destinations, has since become accessible again after landslides blocking major roads were cleared.Tourist activities have also resumed, with visitors continuing to arrive despite the devastation left by the habagat. Overall, an estimated 7,000 families across Oriental Mindoro were affected by the southwest monsoon, as the province begins the difficult task of recovery from the widespread flooding and damage.<div>  </div>

Floodwaters have receded in 79 barangays across six municipalities and one city in Oriental Mindoro, but the southwest monsoon, or habagat has left millions of pesos in damage across the province.

Floodwaters have receded in 79 barangays across six municipalities and one city in Oriental Mindoro, but the southwest monsoon, or habagat has left millions of pesos in damage across the province.