People online call for help for Masbate after Opong PH battered it the most during its passage.
OPONG PH – Masbate is the hardest hit by the impact of the severe tropical storm, which left several fatalities and widespread damage.
The Office of Civil Defense in Bicol (OCD-5) has confirmed that there were four casualties at the height of Severe Tropical Storm Opong‘s onslaught. This has an international name of Bualoi, and Masbate has received the worst damage.
Claudio Yucot, Director of the Office of Civil Defense in Bicol and chairperson of the Bicol Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, said that of the four deaths, three victims came from Masbate province and one from Camarines Norte.
According to Yucot, one died from a fallen tree in Monreal, Masbate, one was crushed by a collapsed wall in Masbate City, one died due to falling debris in Mobo, and one from Mercedes, Camarines Norte, who was struck by lightning.
Masbate was heavily affected, as the whole province was left without power. Yucot has likewise assured the public that the government is preparing aid to those who are affected.
“Food and non-food items are on standby and ready for distribution once the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signals are lifted in the provinces. We are also preparing non-food items that are needed in the province, including G.I. sheets, tarpaulin, family kits, hygiene kits,” he added.
On social media, a lot of people called for help for Masbate. Gov. Richard Kho reported that 6,680 families or 21,861 individuals have been affected by Opong in 182 villages across 20 municipalities and one city in the province.
Meanwhile, Opong has already exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) after multiple landfalls. A total of 11 lives were lost during the onslaught. The typhoon’s path left destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and power outages.
What can you say about this? Let us know in the comments!