Virac, Catanduanes - From the air, the extent of damage of Typhoon Nina which ravaged the Southern Luzon and Bicol Regions was evident in the hundreds of coconut trees whose tops were blow off by the strong wind.
Typhoon Nina, the strongest to hit Catanduanes in 10 years, hit the agriculture sector hardest virtually wiping out the thriving Abaca industry.
Governor Joseph Cua reported that of the 33,130 hectares of Abaca, a total of 27,936 hectares was heavily damaged.
Catanduanes is the world's biggest producer of Abaca finer, a natural fiber which is endemic to the Philippines.
It is estimated that Catanduanes earns P100-M from its Abaca industry.
Rice farms were also affected but provincial officials still have gather the extent of the damage.
Damage to fisheries is also still being validated.
President Rody Duterte is expected to arrive in Virac, Catanduanes at 2 p.m. today.
From Virac, he will proceed to Pili, Camarines Sur for another meeting with local officials.
Camarines Sur, home province of Vice President Leni Robredo, is one of the hardest provinces by Typhoon Nina.
By Manny Piñol
