ILOILO City – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) in Western Visayas is sustaining its full-scale relief preparation amounting to P116 million, originally mobilized for Super Typhoon “Nando” (international name: Ragasa), and now being readied as Tropical Storm “Opong” (international name: Bualoi) develops into another looming threat.
While “Nando” exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Tuesday, Sept. 23, the agency’s prepositioned relief assistance will remain on standby as “Opong” continues to intensify over the Philippine Sea.
Ahead of “Nando”, OIC-Regional Director Joselito Estember said, “Collaboration with local government units is vital. We must remain vigilant and adaptive, ensuring our communities are shielded from the storm’s effects and that assistance is delivered rapidly and efficiently.”
As of Sept. 21, DSWD Region 6 has stockpiled ₱113.56 million worth of food and non-food items across the region. These include ₱26.29 million in essential non-food supplies, ₱4.88 million in ready-to-eat food packs, and ₱2.79 million in standby funds to be deployed as needed.
Quick Response Teams (QRTs) from provincial and municipal levels remain on high alert. They have been directed to coordinate closely with their respective local government units (LGUs), provide timely situation reports, and prepare for possible augmentation once Opong brings heavy rains and strong winds.
According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), “Opong” intensified into a tropical storm early Wednesday, Sept. 24. It was last tracked 855 kilometers east of Northeastern Mindanao, packing maximum sustained winds of 65 kilometers per hour and gusts of up to 80 kph.
The weather bureau said “Opong” is expected to continue strengthening and may reach severe tropical storm status by Thursday, Sept. 25. It could make landfall over the Bicol region by Friday, Sept. 26, and cross Southern Luzon through Saturday morning before exiting PAR by Saturday evening or Sunday morning.
Pagasa warned that heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surges may still be experienced even in areas outside the direct path, including Western Visayas, where the southwest monsoon is being enhanced by both Opong and Nando./PN
