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/175931536678020250929-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 -- President Ferdinand &quot;Bongbong&quot; Marcos Jr. flew to Masbate on Wednesday to personally assess the damage and assure residents of the government’s full support in the recovery process.</p><p>After meeting with the affected residents, the president proceeded to Masbate Comprehensive National High School (MCNHS), the largest public school in the province, where classrooms lie roofless and some were buried under fallen trees.</p><p>Classes remain suspended province-wide as schools continue to recover from the destruction.</p><p>“Yan ay maaayos natin within one month. 806 na classrooms ang nasira kaya’t matatagalan ng konti kaya’t isang buwan bago makabalik,” Marcos Jr. said.</p><p>The president turned over satellite internet to teachers and students to support distance learning.</p><p>Instead of carrying books and pens, students of MCNHS have taken up brooms and trash cans to help clean up their damaged school.</p><p>“Nakita ko ‘yong school kahapon lang po. Nagbisita ako para makita kung saan kami pwedeng tumulong. Sa tingin ko ay hindi aabot sa isang week lang po na maka-recover ang aming school,” said Chum Joffelle Barruga, Supreme Student Government President of MCNHS.</p><p>Kristel Ann Alvarez, MCNHS Information Officer, said the school is eyeing alternative arrangements.</p><p>“Siguro po ‘yong school magshi-shift to distant learning modality. Magtatayo po ng mga makeshift na classrooms para for the meantime ‘yon daw po muna ‘yong kaklasehan ng mga bata,” she said.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/10/1/death-toll-rises-to-18-in-masbate-due-to-opong-clearing-relief-ops-still-underway-0133">READ: Death toll rises to 18 in Masbate due to Opong; clearing, relief ops still underway</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELIEF OPERATIONS AND GOVERNMENT RESPONSE</strong></div><p>The President also brought with him government assistance across various sectors.</p><p>A ₱100 million Local Government Support Fund was granted to the provincial government to aid in immediate expenses.</p><p>In addition, ₱29 million will be distributed under DOLE&#x27;s Tulong Panghanapbuhay sa Ating Disadvantaged/Displaced Workers (TUPAD) program.</p><p>An additional ₱5 million was also given for livelihood assistance.</p><p>The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has started the distribution of ₱10,000 in cash assistance to families affected by the severe tropical storm.</p><p>One of the beneficiaries was Eden Magro from Cawayan, a stroke patient whose home lost its roof to the storm’s strong winds.</p><p>“Siyempre nagpapasalamat po dahil malaking bagay po ‘yon. Lalo na meron akong karamdaman,” said Magro.</p><p>Meanwhile, Marcos Jr. also toured some areas of the Masbate Provincial Hospital, including the Emergency Room Complex and the Internal Medicine ward.</p><p>He turned over a facsimile check from the Department of Health (DOH) worth P3-million to the provincial government of Masbate for the repair of the hospital’s facilities.</p><div><a class="fr-strong fr-green" 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><div><br/></div><div><strong>FOCUS ON AGRICULTURE AND ENERGY</strong></div><p>Beyond education and social services, the President also emphasized support for the agriculture sector, which saw massive damage due to toppled coconut trees and ruined crops.</p><p>“Sa Department of Agriculture, we are already going to provide cash assistance dahil malaki rin ang damage. Aani tayo ngayong October. Pangalawa, we have to process crop insurance,” he said during an ambush interview.</p><p>The President assured residents that restoration of electricity is a top priority, as are telecommunication services, which continue to experience interruptions.</p>

<p>President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. flew to Masbate on Wednesday to personally assess the damage and assure residents of the government’s full support in the recovery process.</p>

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. flew to Masbate on Wednesday to personally assess the damage and assure residents of the government’s full support in the recovery process.

President Marcos visits Masbate, vows full gov’t support for recovery

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President Marcos visits Masbate, vows full gov’t support for recovery

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 01, 2025 06:45 PM PHT

Read More:

OpongPH

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