Masbate hardest hit by Opong, seeks aid amid heavy damages

Benedict Maravilla

Masbate was the hardest hit in the country by the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Opong, the Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) confirmed.

In a press conference at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Sep. 26, OCD Spokesperson Junie Castillo told reporters that Masbate suffered heavy damages to properties, communication lines, electricity, as well as lives.

“Base sa mga ulat na nakukuha natin sa regions natin sa Eastern Visayas, Bicol Region, Mimaropa at Calabarzon, ang hardest hit ay ang probinsya ng Masbate. This is in terms of damage to properties, linya ng komunikasyon, kuryente, pati mga bahay, at doon sa nasawi,” Castillo said.

Governor Richard Kho revealed that all 20 municipalities and the lone city of Masbate were devastated by the storm.

According to their data, 182 barangays across the province were affected, including 21,860 individuals from 6,600 families.

Three deaths due to the storm were also recorded in the province, while more than 10 people were reported injured.

Masbate seeks aid

Amid the damages that Opong left in Masbate, the provincial government and its citizens are seeking assistance as they struggle to recover from the battering of the storm.

Governor Richard Kho requested support from the national government as the province faced one of the most destructive typhoons it had ever experienced.

Kho specifically asked for assistance in the road-clearing operations, as blocked routes hinder the transport of goods and services to isolated areas.

“Kailangan namin ng tulong para sa cleaning opeartion dahil most of our road networks ay hindi madaanan, so yung mga goods, food packs and all of our help hindi po makadaan,” he said.

With numerous electrical posts being toppled by the storm, causing a province-wide power interruption, Kho pleaded for aid on the same matter.

The governor further appealed to port authorities to lift the suspension of sea travel as soon as the weather conditions improve so that relief services from other places can reach the province.

“Gusto rin sana namin makahingi ng tulong na as early as possible na mabuksan yung mga pors namin dito sa probinsya ng masbate para makaabot ung tulong galing sa ibat ibang probinsya,” Kho said.

The provincial government also requested air asset support and a data team to assess the extent of the damages.

Masbateños continue to recover from the storm as they rebuild their destroyed homes, with some asking for financial support through online platforms.

Different organizations from all over the Philippines have also extended their hands by launching donation drives to assist the affected communities.

As of 11:00 a.m. on Sep. 27, Opong has reintensified into a typhoon, traversing over the West Philippine Sea and leaving the Philippine Area of Responsibility.