Masbate: The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) is currently validating reports that Severe Tropical Storm Opong, internationally known as Bualoi, has resulted in four casualties. Claudio Yucot, Director of OCD-5 and chairperson of the Bicol Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, confirmed that three fatalities occurred in Masbate province and one in Camarines Norte.
According to Philippines News Agency, the victims in Masbate included one individual in Monreal who was hit by a fallen tree, another in Masbate City crushed by a collapsed wall, and a third in Mobo who succumbed to falling debris. The fourth victim, from Mercedes in Camarines Norte, was reportedly struck by lightning. These incidents are being verified by the Management of the Dead and Missing Cluster.
Yucot noted that Masbate province has been significantly impacted, especially with a complete power outage affecting the area. Damages to structures, particularly the local electric cooperative, have been substantial. The OCD-5 has requested support from their central office, which has promised to dispatch personnel from the Department of Energy along with Task Force Kapatid to aid in power restoration. Additionally, the governor of Masbate has requested assistance for debris clearing efforts across the city and other towns.
Yucot reassured the public that the national government is actively working to provide relief to those affected by the storm. Food and non-food items are prepared for distribution once the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are lifted. Supplies include G.I. sheets, tarpaulins, family kits, and hygiene kits.
Claudio Villareal, Chief of the Disaster Response Management Division of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Bicol (DSWD-5), confirmed the readiness of food packs and non-food items for distribution. The agency has a stockpile worth over PHP218 million prepositioned in warehouses. Five trucks stationed at Pio Duran Port, loaded with more than 8,600 family food packs, are ready to be transported to Masbate to support local government units. The DSWD has provided over PHP7 million in assistance to the LGUs and documented that over 318,111 individuals or 85,691 families from 543 barangays have been affected by Opong.
