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In typhoon's wake, Philippine farming town prays for relief

Families scour devastated lands for food even as threat of another natural disaster looms

Typhoon Mangkhut swept across northern Philippines last month, decimating entire harvests in farming towns like Alcala. But the storm illustrated the resilience of a country that is habitually devastated by disasters.
Left: A farmer and his son transporting harvested corn using a cart drawn by a water buffalo in Alcala. Above: Corn cobs are scattered across Alcala's farmlands in the aftermath of Mangkhut, forcing men, women and children to search among dead vegeta
A farmer sifting through fields of twisted, splintered stalks looking for corn cobs and rice grains that he can sell in Alcala town, Cagayan province. Typhoon Mangkhut, which swept across the Philippines last month, destroyed over a million hectares in Alcala alone. ST PHOTO: RAUL DANCEL
Left: A farmer and his son transporting harvested corn using a cart drawn by a water buffalo in Alcala. Above: Corn cobs are scattered across Alcala's farmlands in the aftermath of Mangkhut, forcing men, women and children to search among dead vegeta
Corn cobs are scattered across Alcala’s farmlands in the aftermath of Mangkhut, forcing men, women and children to search among dead vegetation for any cobs and grain that can be salvaged. ST PHOTO: RAUL DANCEL
Left: A farmer and his son transporting harvested corn using a cart drawn by a water buffalo in Alcala. Above: Corn cobs are scattered across Alcala's farmlands in the aftermath of Mangkhut, forcing men, women and children to search among dead vegeta
A farmer and his son transporting harvested corn using a cart drawn by a water buffalo in Alcala. ST PHOTO: RAUL DANCEL
Ms Remigios Casay, 64, a farmhand, queueing for construction materials such as iron sheets, plywood, nails and a hammer that she needs to rebuild her home, which was destroyed by Typhoon Mangkhut Volunteers rebuilding a house destroyed by the typhoon
Volunteers showing the framework of a new house to farmers who lost their homes after Typhoon Mangkhut swept across the northern Philippines on Sept 15. PHOTO: CRISTINA MENINA
Ms Remigios Casay, 64, a farmhand, queueing for construction materials such as iron sheets, plywood, nails and a hammer that she needs to rebuild her home, which was destroyed by Typhoon Mangkhut Volunteers rebuilding a house destroyed by the typhoon
Volunteers rebuilding a house destroyed by the typhoon. The advocacy group, World Vision, has been providing shelter kits for at least 88 families who lost their homes in Alcala town, Cagayan province.
 PHOTO: CRISTINA MENINA
Ms Remigios Casay, 64, a farmhand, queueing for construction materials such as iron sheets, plywood, nails and a hammer that she needs to rebuild her home, which was destroyed by Typhoon Mangkhut Volunteers rebuilding a house destroyed by the typhoon
Ms Remigios Casay, 64, a farmhand, queueing for construction materials such as iron sheets, plywood, nails and a hammer that she needs to rebuild her home, which was destroyed by Typhoon Mangkhut. PHOTO: CRISTINA MENINA
Raul Dancel  Philippines Correspondent In Alcala, Cagayan province
Updated
Oct 30, 2018, 05:44 AM
Published
Oct 30, 2018, 05:00 AM
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Ms Precy Apalisok, 70, was spotted at 8am in Damurog district in Alcala town sifting through a field of twisted, splintered stalks for corn cobs she can dust off and sell.

If she is lucky, a trader will pay 120 pesos (S$3.10) for her two-hour labour, which fills up half a sack.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 30, 2018, with the headline In typhoon's wake, Philippine farming town prays for relief. Subscribe

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