'Opong' claims 10 lives; Masbate is hardest-hit area – OCD
Published Sep 26, 2025 10:25 pm
Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Asst. Sec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV (Courtesy of OCD livestream)
Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” has killed 10 individuals in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) and Bicol (Region 5), but Masbate bore the brunt of the storm, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported on Friday night, Sept. 26.
OCD Deputy Administrator for Administration Asst. Sec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said 362,931 families or nearly 1.4 million individuals were affected across several regions as of 6 p.m.
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 during the onslaught of Ompong: seven in Region 8 and three in Region 5.
In Region 8, seven individuals, including three senior citizens, 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.
As clarified earlier in the day, three persons also died in Masbate: two deaths were recorded in Masbate City due to a collapsed concrete wall and drowning, and another one in Monreal town due to fallen tree.
Thirteen persons were also missing in Region 8 and Mimaropa (Region 4B).
These include five fishermen in Maydolong, Eastern Samar; four senior citizens who went back to their home in Marapipi, Biliran and got swept by a storm surge; one fisherman in Tanauan, Leyte; and three fishermen in Puerto Princesa City and Roxas, Palawan.
“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.
He noted widespread damage to houses and toppled power posts.
“Power must be restored there immediately. There is also a need for prompt road clearing because of scattered debris as many houses were destroyed and several electric posts were toppled. Restoration is urgently required,” he said.
He added that the Department of Energy (DOE) has committed to send power restoration teams from various cooperatives to Masbate to fast-track electricity restoration.
In Romblon, telecommunications remain functional with both Globe and Smart networks operational but a preemptive power shutdown was implemented there and in parts of Mindoro Island.
The OCD said the most pressing needs in Mimaropa are shelter repair kits, family kits, and hygiene kits, while in Region 5 the priority is electricity restoration and shelter repair materials.