ILOILO City – Local governments across Western Visayas were on full alert Friday as Severe Tropical Storm “Opong” (international name: Bualoi) unleashed heavy rains and strong winds over large swaths of the region, prompting preemptive evacuations, school and work suspensions, and heightened disaster response operations.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 6 has raised its operations center to red alert status as of 5 p.m. Thursday, directing local disaster risk reduction and management councils (LDRRMCs) to activate their Incident Management Teams (IMTs), mobilize response clusters, and stockpile essential supplies.
“The Incident Management Teams play a crucial role in coordinating disaster responses, ensuring that all agencies collaborate efficiently,” stressed OCD-6 regional director Raul Fernandez. “We understand the importance of being proactive. It is vital for communities to receive timely information to ensure their safety.”
Fernandez said uniformed services have prepositioned search and rescue teams and equipment in strategic areas, while welfare goods are on standby for immediate deployment.
“We are prepared to conduct preemptive evacuations, and I believe the communities that need to be evacuated are ready,” he added.
The OCD memorandum also required the deployment of detailed officers from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), and the Department of Health (DOH) at the operations center to facilitate real-time decision-making.
As of PAGASA’s 5 a.m. bulletin Friday, portions of Iloilo, Capiz, Aklan, and Antique were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) Nos. 1 and 2.
Areas under Signal No. 2 include northern Iloilo (Estancia, Carles, Balasan, Batad, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Sara, Ajuy, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, San Enrique, Passi City, Bingawan, Calinog), Capiz, Aklan, and the northwestern towns of Antique (Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi) including Caluya Islands.
Signal No. 1, meanwhile, covers central Iloilo (Banate, Anilao, Dueñas, Dingle, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Lambunao, Janiuay, Badiangan, Pototan, Mina, Zarraga, New Lucena, Cabatuan, Maasin) and parts of central Antique (Tibiao, Barbaza, Bugasong, Laua-an, Valderrama).
PAGASA also warned that the southwest monsoon was being enhanced by Opong, bringing gale-force gusts to coastal and upland areas.
Small vessels were advised not to venture out to sea, while residents were cautioned to monitor advisories and prepare for possible flooding, power outages, and landslides.
Authorities reminded households to secure properties, stock up on food, batteries, and first aid kits, and keep mobile phones fully charged.
Outdoor activities for children were discouraged as a precautionary measure.
The OCD underscored that Western Visayas communities should brace for worst-case scenarios, citing how weather disturbances in recent years have intensified rapidly from depressions to severe storms and typhoons./PN
