AGRICULTURAL damage from the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that jolted Abra and other areas in Northern Luzon has reached P44.3 million, according to the Department of Agriculture (DA).

'Based on the reports from our field offices, the total damage so far in the agriculture sector is at P44.2, including the communal irrigation system affected by the strong quake. The validation is still ongoing because when you talk of irrigation, we also try to see the effect on the plantation,' Agriculture Undersecretary Kristine Evangelista said during the Laging Handa briefing.