Twenty-six people have died from the combined effects of Severe Tropical Storm “Opong,” Super Typhoon “Nando,” Tropical Depression “Mirasol”, and southwest monsoon (habagat) as the extent of damage by the successive weather disturbances slowly unraveled after weather conditions finally improved.

In a report Sunday, Sept. 28, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) disclosed that nine persons died in Bicol (Region 5), eight in Cagayan Valley (Region 2), four in Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), two each in Central Luzon (Region 3) and Central Visayas (Region 7), and one in Eastern Visayas (Region 8).

But only four deaths have been validated so far, all in CAR, who were victims of landslide.

“The Management of the Dead and Missing Cluster is currently validating other information,” Office of Civil Defense (OCD) spokesperson Junie Castillo said.

The death toll is expected to further increase as there were reports that up to 10 persons perished in Eastern Visayas, most of which were in Biliran where flashfloods and a storm surge swept residents who were returning to their homes.

Thirty-three persons were also injured while the number of missing persons was reduced to 14 as five fishermen who were previously reported unlocated were found safe in Eastern Samar.

A total of 738,714 families or 2,797,706 persons were bearing the brunt of successive weather disturbances in 16 regions as aerial surveys were conducted in Bicol Region and Eastern Visayas to determine the extent of damage.

Of those affected, there were 78,059 families or 282,274 individuals who were displaced, including over 46,000 families or 163,317 individuals temporarily sheltered in 2,680 evacuation centers.

Despite this, food remains sufficient in evacuation centers as the Food and Non-Food Items Cluster continuously replenishes family food packs, Castillo said.

There were 622 areas that were flooded, while 267 road sections and 50 bridges were affected.

Fifty-three areas have declared a state of calamity, allowing local government units (LGUs) to immediately use calamity funds for relief and recovery, and implement a price freeze on basic goods to prevent overpricing.

These include the entire province of Masbate (20 municipalities and one city), which is considered the worst-hit by Opong; Pagudpud (Ilocos Norte); the entire province of Cagayan (28 municipalities and one city); Ibajay (Aklan); and Pagalungan (Maguindanao del Sur).

A contingent from the OCD, led by Asst. Sec. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV, flew to Masbate City on Sunday to assess the situation there. 

“We see three priorities here: restoration of power, restoration of telecommunications, and the immediate needs for shelter repair kits. Food is not a problem because the DSWD [Department of Social Welfare and Development] has prepositioned family food packs but these are continuously being replenished,” Alejandro said.

The NDRRMC pegged agriculture losses at P1.007 billion while infrastructure damage reached P864 million nationwide in Regions 1, 2, 3, CAR, 4A, 4B, 6, and 7.

A total of 204 areas experienced power interruption but authorities said the Department of Energy (DOE) has mobilized Task Force Kapatid, composed of cooperatives, to help restore electricity, especially in Masbate.

Sixteen areas also had water supply interruption while 37 areas suffered from communications loss. To address the disruptions, the Emergency Telecommunications Cluster has deployed Starlink units in Batangas, Mindoro, Palawan, and Romblon. Additional mobile facilities are set to be installed in Masbate for temporary charging and internet access, authorities noted.

A total of 8,916 damaged houses were reported in Regions 1, 2, CAR, 3, 4A, 4B, 5, 6, 9, and BARMM. Shelter materials were readied for distribution while road clearing continues under the Debris Clearing and Civil Works Cluster, authorities said.

The Department of Education has also opened several schools as temporary shelters while the Health Cluster distributed medical and public health commodities in Cordillera, Central Luzon, Mimaropa, Central Visayas, and Bicol.

In total, P137 million worth of relief assistance has been distributed to 149,675 affected families nationwide. “The government is working round the clock to provide assistance, restore essential services, and ensure the well-being of our affected kababayan,” Castillo assured.