POLICE patrol the streets of Masbate City, Masbate province in the aftermath of tropical cyclone 'Opong.' (FB)
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The provincial government of Masbate has declared a state of calamity following the widespread destruction caused by tropical cyclone “Opong.”
The resolution was passed after the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that at least 16,302 families or 57,113 individuals in the province have been affected by the storm.
Officials warned that the number could still increase as assessments continue.
Gov. Richard Kho confirmed on Saturday that seven fatalities have been verified as typhoon-related, while five more deaths are still under validation.
“Today, unfortunately we have seven casualties verified to be typhoon-related and five more being verified,” Kho said.
To better gauge the extent of the damage, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD)-Bicol conducted an aerial assessment of the hardest-hit areas.
The team was composed of personnel from OCD-Bicol, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-Bicol, Department of Health (DOH)-Bicol, Philippine News Agency (PNA), and the Masbate PDRRMO.
OCD-Bicol spokesperson Gremil Naz said the aerial inspection is crucial in determining priority areas for relief operations and in speeding up recovery efforts.
The declaration of a state of calamity will allow the provincial government to tap emergency funds and implement price control measures on basic goods to help affected residents.