Tropical depression “Paolo” slightly intensified while moving west-northwest over the Philippine Sea on Wednesday afternoon.
State weather bureau Pagasa said Paolo’s center was estimated at 665 kilometers east of Virac, Catanduanes. It was moving at 25 km/h with maximum sustained winds of 55 km/h near the center and gustiness of up to 70 km/h.
Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was raised over the municipalities of Pandan, Bagamanoc, Panganiban, and Viga in Catanduanes.
“Paolo” may make landfall over Isabela or northern Aurora by Friday morning or afternoon and is expected to exit the Philippine area of responsibility by Saturday morning.
Pagasa said the cyclone would continue to intensify while crossing the Philippine Sea and could reach severe tropical storm category by early Friday.
Further strengthening into a typhoon before landfall is not ruled out, while re-intensification is considered highly likely once Paolo emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
Meanwhile, in Masbate, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assured residents affected by Typhoon Opong that government aid will not stop until families fully recover from the devastation.
Speaking at the Nursery Elementary School in Masbate City during the distribution of assistance, Mr. Marcos said the government will continue providing food packs, medicines, and financial aid for as long as needed.
“Don’t worry, the government’s support will continue as long as you need it. Even if it takes a while because your homes haven’t been repaired, we are already supporting you,” President Marcos said, adding that help will continue even after evacuees leave temporary shelters.
The President also visited the Masbate Provincial Hospital to inspect damage caused by Opong. He handed over a P3-million check from the Department of Health to fund repairs, particularly for the Emergency Room Complex and Internal Medicine ward.
To improve hospital operations, he provided two Starlink satellite units to boost communication amid connectivity problems, and generators to augment the facility’s limited power supply.
Mr. Marcos stressed the importance of medical support in evacuation centers, noting that the Department of Health has deployed teams to prevent outbreaks of illness among displaced families. The hospital currently has 339 admitted patients and a workforce of 364 personnel.
Following the inspection, Mr. Marcos led a situation briefing on Opong’s effects at Masbate Comprehensive National High School, where officials outlined continuing recovery needs.
In response to the impacts of recent storms, including Tropical Cyclones Nando and Opong, the Department of the Interior and Local Government has directed Local Price Monitoring Councils to intensify enforcement of automatic price controls in affected areas. The order enforces a price freeze and mandates stricter oversight of supply chains to prevent unwarranted price increases and shortages of basic commodities.
