Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” claimed 10 lives in Eastern Visayas and Bicol with Masbate suffering the worst impact, according to the Office of Civil Defense (OCD).
OCD Assistant Secretary Rafaelito Alejandro IV reported that as of Friday evening, the storm had affected 362,931 families—or nearly 1.4 million individuals—across multiple regions.
There were 13,393 families or around 45,000 individuals housed in 828 evacuation centers while 16,154 families or 57,000 people were being assisted outside temporary shelters.
Aside from the 14 deaths earlier attributed to Super Typhoon Nando and Tropical Depression Marisol, 10 additional casualties were reported at the height of Opong—seven in Eastern Visayas and three in Bicol.
The deaths in Eastern Visayas include three senior citizens, who drowned due to flash flood and storm surge when they went back to their homes in the towns of Marapipi, Kawayan, and Caibiran—all in Biliran province.
In Masbate City, two people died due to a collapsed concrete wall and drowning; another was killed in Monreal by a fallen tree.
Thirteen people, meanwhile, remain unaccounted for in Eastern Visayas and Mimaropa.
“But again, these are still subject to validation by field units,” Alejandro said.
Agriculture losses have also risen to P39.4 million, affecting more than 1,200 farmers and fisherfolk.
“The hardest-hit area so far is Masbate, particularly Masbate City and the municipalities in Ticao Island and Burias Island. The extent of the damage has been severe,” Alejandro said.
