Camille Naredo

Toppled trees and electric posts greet residents of Masbate City, hours after Severe Tropical Storm Opong made landfall in Palanas, Masbate, at 4 a.m. on September 26, 2025. Photo courtesy of Nikki Macadat Nicolas

Toppled trees and electric posts greet residents of Masbate City, hours after Severe Tropical Storm Opong made landfall in Palanas, Masbate, at 4 a.m. on September 26, 2025.
Nikki Macadat Nicolas

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/175907007709820250926-weather-sts-opong-masbate-city-NM3.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Toppled trees and electric posts greet residents of Masbate City, hours after Severe Tropical Storm Opong made landfall in Palanas, Masbate, at 4 a.m. on September 26, 2025. Photo courtesy of Nikki Macadat Nicolas"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Toppled trees and electric posts greet residents of Masbate City, hours after Severe Tropical Storm Opong made landfall in Palanas, Masbate, at 4 a.m. on September 26, 2025. <em>Photo courtesy of Nikki Macadat Nicolas</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- The true extent of the devastation in the province of Masbate is only now becoming clear -- three days after the onslaught of severe tropical storm Opong.</p><p>In the wake of the storm, stories of survival and hope emerge from the wreckage, told by residents who faced life-threatening conditions, and who now must begin the difficult journey of recovery.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>STORIES FROM THE GROUND</strong> </div><p>For Maria Lorena Balatucan, the experience during Typhoon Opong was nothing short of catastrophic. </p><p>In Barangay Tugbo, Masbate City, only two houses remain standing out of 40 in the small community. </p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/9/27/masbate-placed-under-state-of-calamity-after-tropical-cyclone-opong-s-wrath-2329"><strong>Masbate placed under state of calamity after tropical cyclone Opong&#x27;s wrath </strong></a> </div><p>“Nakakapanlumo po kasi halos inutangan lang po namin ang pampabahay namin. Hindi namin alam na ganyan ang mangyayari. Masakit po sa dibdib, mas mabuti na lang po na safety kaming lahat. Walang nangyari sa aming masama,” Balatucan said. </p><p>A wooden bridge connecting their barangay to the city center was wiped out, leaving families like Lorena’s to build makeshift shelters by the roadside. </p><p>In Barangay Nursery, 71-year-old Norma Cabug recounted the  moment when the storm ripped their entire roof of her house, while she was battling a severe asthma attack. </p><p>“Nakadapa na lang kami diyan ng isa kong apo. Sumisigaw ako. Sabi ko, Eric, rescue! Rescue! Tapos mamamatay ako sobrang hika ako. Nanginginig na lang ako sa takot. Rescue! Walang nakikinig sa akin,” she said. </p><p>For 82-year-old Carmen Laurio from the same barangay, faith was her only shield. </p><p>Alone in her house as the storm pounded their barangay, she could do nothing but pray. </p><p>“Andiyan lang ako nakatayo, humihingi ako ng ano sa Lord na sana hindi masira. Sabi ko Lord, tama na… Doon ako [nakatago] sa kahoy na nakaganun,” she said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>MASSIVE DESTRUCTION</strong> </div><p>Masbate is paralyzed, from agriculture to infrastructure. </p><p>The roof of the city’s bus terminal collapsed, and roofs of residential and commercial buildings were shredded as if they were paper. Meanwhile, its airport is also damaged, leading to suspended flights.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/9/26/-opong-batters-oriental-mindoro-2254"><strong>&#x27;Opong&#x27; batters Oriental Mindoro </strong></a></div><p>Downed power lines and toppled electric posts make it difficult for relief trucks and other large vehicles to access the province.</p><p>According to the provincial government, it may take 30 days before electricity is fully restored.</p><p>“They gave us the estimate of one month para marestore ‘yong power sa buong probinsya ng Masbate,” said Governor Richard Kho.</p><p>“Passable ang areas but you will see electrical lines, naka-slant, ‘yong iba hazard na talaga sa tao. To my fellow Masbateños, I have a very simple message: makakabangon tayo,” the governor added.</p><p>The Office of Civil Defense–Bicol Regional Director Claudio Yucot said augmentation force from the national government will also help restoring the power supply in the province.</p><p>“Hindi yan basta-basta na kung sino lang ang magtayo niyan kundi ‘yong may alam katulad ng Task Force Kapatid na ipapadala ng DOE,” Yucot said.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELIEF EFFORTS UNDERWAY</strong></div><p>The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has already distributed over 15,000 family food packs, with 140,000 more on the way.</p><p>Emergency cash transfers are also being prepared, according to DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian.</p><p>“Ang assurance nga, ang sabi ng pangulo sa akin is to make sure ‘yong pagkain, makarating sa lamesa ng mga pamilyang apektado,” said Gatchalian.</p><p>“Meron na tayo bago tumama ang bagyo, pero dahil matagal-tagal itong maka-recover, patuloy kaming magpapadala ng family food packs.”</p><p>In Barangay Nursery, hundreds of residents lined up at the barangay hall to register for financial assistance.</p><div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/9/26/masbate-hardest-hit-by-opong-ocd-says-1824"><strong>Masbate hardest hit by Opong, OCD says</strong></a></div><p>“Sa ngayon po, baka po i-stop po muna namin ang interview para mapaliwanag po sa tao ‘yong sistema po na gagawin namin na bago. Para hindi na sila magsiksikan at lalagyan po namin ng priority lane ang senior citizen at PWD,” said Barangay Captain Darius M. Tuason Jr.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>COMMUNICATION LINES STILL DOWN</strong></div><p>Communication lines remain down in much of the province, hampering both rescue and relief efforts. </p><p>Governor Kho confirmed that 9 deaths have been reported in Masbate due to Opong. </p><p>Ten more fatalities are currently being verified to determine if they were storm-related. </p><p>As Masbate struggles to recover, residents call for help - from shelter and food, to clean water, medical aid, and power.</p><div> </div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Bj0AGyLaeqo?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span></strong><br/></div><div>  </div>

<p>The true extent of the devastation in the province of Masbate is only now becoming clear -- three days after the onslaught of severe tropical storm Opong.</p>

The true extent of the devastation in the province of Masbate is only now becoming clear -- three days after the onslaught of severe tropical storm Opong.

Devastation and resilience: Masbate reels in aftermath of 'Opong'

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Devastation and resilience: Masbate reels in aftermath of 'Opong'

Jessie Cruzat,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 28, 2025 10:41 PM PHT

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