Dennis Gasgonia

Article (news)

Jessie Cruzat

ABS-CBN News

Severe tropical storm Opong battered the island province of Masbate on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction, downed communication lines, and power blackout across the entire province.The provincial government officially declared a state of calamity on Saturday, September 27.The declaration allows for the swift release of emergency funds and resources to support relief and recovery efforts for affected communities, according to the Masbate Public Information Office. From uprooted trees and mangled rooftops, the fury of Typhoon Opong is evident across the landscape. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/9/27/death-toll-rises-to-11-as-opong-bears-down-on-vietnam-1140">Death toll rises to 11 as Opong bears down on Vietnam </a></div>These were seen as the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol conducted an aerial survey on Saturday, revealing the widespread damage to both private and public property.Sea travel resumed in the Bicol Region on Saturday, allowing thousands of stranded passengers to finally return home or continue their journey. Among them was Arnold Yanson from Taytay, Rizal, who had hoped to attend a family reunion in Aroroy, Masbate. &quot;Wala kahit isa. Meron kaming nakontak na isang konsehal, okay naman daw ang mga tao. Kaya lang ‘yong mga bahay, bumagsak talaga karamihan,” Yanson shared.“Kasiyahan dapat pero ngayon medyo malungkot kasi maraming damage. Magsimba na lang siguro, pasalamat na kahit papaano, walang namatay,” he added.Another passenger, a 71-year old Nancy Dela Cruz, is worried her fragile wooden home in Baleno, Masbate may not have survived the storm.“Na among balay na kahoy lang. Dugay na. Kaya sigurado. Sabi ko mauli kita, hain daw kita maturog? Kami an pinakahirap. Wala ngane kami sadiring lote. Nakibalay lang kami,” said Dela Cruz.[Our house was only made of wood. It was old. So I’m sure it’s gone. I said, when we return, where will we sleep? We’re the poorest. We don’t even own land. We just stay in someone else’s home.]“Kahit naman na pag-uwi mo wala ka nang bahay, siyempre masakit sa damdamin,” she added. [Anyone would feel hurt coming home to nothing.]Meanwhile, a team of 30 personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) was deployed to Masbate, bringing equipment and manpower for clearing operations.  <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/9/26/-opong-batters-oriental-mindoro-2254">&#x27;Opong&#x27; batters Oriental Mindoro</a></div>The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also deployed a Mobile Command Center to coordinate the distribution of relief goods to affected communities. “Thankfully kahit na walang kuryente sa ibang parts ng Masbate at mahina ang internet ay may connection naman kami sa PDRRMO at nagbibigay sila palagi ng regular updates sa amin,” said Gremil Alexis Naz, spokesperson for OCD-Bicol.The provincial government of Masbate had earlier already issued an appeal for urgent assistance, citing the severe impact of sever le tropical storm Opong in the province. Relief operations are expected to intensify in the coming days as more agencies respond to the disaster.

Severe tropical storm Opong battered the island province of Masbate on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction, downed communication lines, and power blackout across the entire province.

Severe tropical storm Opong battered the island province of Masbate on Friday, leaving a trail of destruction, downed communication lines, and power blackout across the entire province.

Masbate placed under state of calamity after tropical cyclone Opong's wrath

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Masbate placed under state of calamity after tropical cyclone Opong's wrath

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 27, 2025 11:29 PM PHT

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Masbate

State of calamity

Clearing operations

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