The death toll from tropical cyclones Mirasol, Nando, Opong, and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) has climbed to 26, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) reported Sunday.
Of the total, 22 fatalities remain under validation while four have been confirmed. The NDRRMC also recorded 33 injuries and 14 missing persons.
The recent weather disturbances affected 738,714 families, or 2,797,706 individuals. At least 46,611 families—equivalent to 163,317 people—are staying in 2,680 evacuation centers.
Damage assessments showed 8,916 houses destroyed across the Ilocos Region, Cagayan Valley, Cordillera Administrative Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Bicol, Western Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
The weather disturbances also resulted in over P1 billion in agricultural losses.
Masbate sustained the heaviest damage from Typhoon “Opong,” which battered homes, the provincial airport, and other key infrastructures before exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday morning.
The Bicol region bore the heaviest brunt with 837,427 individuals or 221,873 families affected and widespread damage reported in Masbate following the onslaught of Typhoon Opong, according to the NDRRMC.
Initial government assessments showed that thousands of families were forced to flee their homes, with 9,630 families or 38,272 people, directly affected in Masbate.
Civil Defense Deputy Administrator for Administration Assistant Secretary Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV visited Masbate on Sunday to inspect the destruction and meet with local leaders.
“Three things are considered priorities—restoration of power and telecommunications—are the two. Then, of course, their (victims) immediate needs—housing materials, shelter repair kits—so that’s the three,” he said.
Alejandro assured residents that food supplies remain stable with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) prepositioning family food packs in the province. Around ₱8 million worth of food and non-food assistance from the DSWD and the Office of Civil Defense have already been delivered.
Despite the relief operations, officials acknowledged that restoring electricity, communications, and housing materials remain the most urgent challenges.
Alejandro also joined Masbate Governor Richard Kho and DSWD officials in visiting evacuation centers to check on displaced families. Masbate province is currently under a state of calamity.
