Camille Naredo

Damaged structures are seen in Masbate province during an aerial inspection led by the Office of Civil Defense–Bicol, a day after Severe Tropical Storm Opong made landfall on September 26, 2025. Handout/Office of the Civil Defense Bicol Region 5

Damaged structures are seen in Masbate province during an aerial inspection led by the Office of Civil Defense–Bicol, a day after Severe Tropical Storm Opong made landfall on September 26, 2025.
Office of the Civil Defense Bicol Region 5

Article (news)

STS OPONG

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175925354286120250929-weather-opong-aftermath-masbate-OCD3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Damaged structures are seen in Masbate province during an aerial inspection led by the Office of Civil Defense–Bicol, a day after Severe Tropical Storm Opong made landfall on September 26, 2025. Handout/Office of the Civil Defense Bicol Region 5"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Damaged structures are seen in Masbate province during an aerial inspection led by the Office of Civil Defense–Bicol, a day after Severe Tropical Storm Opong made landfall on September 26, 2025. <em>Handout/Office of the Civil Defense Bicol Region 5</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The official death toll from Severe Tropical Storm Opong in the province of Masbate has risen to 18, the provincial government confirmed Tuesday. </p><p>In Barangay Gangao, Baleno, the tragedy hit especially hard for Fe Sual and Bengie Manlapas, who lost their two young daughters, 3-year-old Zyra and 1-year-old Sharmaine, after a massive buri tree collapsed on their home on Friday morning. </p><p>&quot;Mahal na mahal ko &#x27;yong dalawa kong anak… pasensya,&quot; said Fe. </p><p>&quot;May pumapasok kasi na dumi doon sa hinihigaan namin. Tapos may umano na sa ulo ko, &#x27;yong [bubong] ng bahay namin. Hindi ko alam na &#x27;yong buri na po ang bumagsak. Hindi ko na [naligtas] ang dalawang bata kasi natabunan na sila,&quot; she added. </p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/29/opong-nando-mirasol-habagat-kill-27-ndrrmc-1313">READ: Opong, Nando, Mirasol, habagat kill 27 -- NDRRMC</a></div><p>Fe and her mother-in-law survived. </p><p>Bengie, the children&#x27;s father, had been selling bread in the nearby town of Milagros when the incident happened. </p><p>&quot;Baka naligtas ko pa po &#x27;yong mga anak ko kung nandito ako sa bahay. Mamimiss ko sila. Kasi makulit ang mga bata na ito, e,&quot; he said through tears.</p><p>Governor Richard Kho confirmed the 18 casualties based on the reports from different municipalities across the province. </p><p>&quot;Masakit sa amin na lalo pang tumataas as the reports go by. Will do our best na mabigyan sila ng tulong. I know hindi maibabalik &#x27;yong mga nawala sa kanila but at least matulungan sila,&quot; said Gov. Kho.</p><p>Many of the fatalities were either crushed by trees or drowned during the height of the storm.</p><p>Meanwhile, according to the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, 14,767 houses were totally destroyed, while 55,541 sustained partial damage as of 6pm of September 29. </p><p>The Department of Education also reported 148 totally damaged schools and 286 partially damaged.</p><p>Clearing efforts and response from volunteers, NGOs, and government units are continuously coming. </p><p>Teams from Sorsogon arrived in Masbate to assist in clearing roads and removing debris.</p><p>&quot;Ang pagpapasalamat namin, ibinibigay namin sa pagtulong sa heavily striken area ng rehiyon,&quot; said Engr. Michael Carranza, team leader of &quot;Tabang kan Sorsoganons&quot;.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2025/9/30/price-freeze-implemented-in-opong-hit-provinces-2024">READ: Price freeze implemented in Opong-hit provinces</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELIEF EFFORTS CONTINUE </strong></div><p>ABS-CBN Foundation Sagip Kapamilya distributed relief packs to around 500 families in Barangays Poblacion West and Tigbao, Milagros which were heavily hit by the storm. </p><p>Many recipients were fishermen whose boats, which were their primary source of livelihood, were destroyed.</p><p>The foundation also set up free WiFi and charging stations for residents in areas still without electricity.</p><p>On Monday, the DSWD and Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol, with support from the Philippine Air Force, airlifted 1,000 family food packs to isolated island barangays in Balud town, including Zapatos and Jintotolo.</p><p>&quot;Malaking tulong ma&#x27;am. Kung saan man galing sa ahensya ng gobyerno. Lalo na po sa mga taga DSWD. Tears of joy po,&quot; said Barangay Captain Maggie Azucena of Cantil, Jintotolo Island.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>POWER SUPPLY RESTORATION</strong></div><p>Energy Secretary Sharon S. Garin personally visited Masbate today to assess the damage to energy infrastructure and assured residents that restoration efforts are fully underway.</p><p>&quot;The entire energy sector is fully mobilized to restore electricity at the soonest possible time,&quot; the DOE said in a statement.</p>

<p>The official death toll from Severe Tropical Storm Opong in the province of Masbate has risen to 18, the provincial government confirmed Tuesday.</p>

The official death toll from Severe Tropical Storm Opong in the province of Masbate has risen to 18, the provincial government confirmed Tuesday.

Death toll rises to 18 in Masbate due to Opong; clearing, relief ops still underway

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Death toll rises to 18 in Masbate due to Opong; clearing, relief ops still underway

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 01, 2025 01:33 AM PHT

Read More:

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