ILOILO – Successive typhoons compounded by the southwest monsoon have displaced more than 350,000 people across Western Visayas, with one fatality confirmed in Iloilo province, according to the Office of the Civil Defense – Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (OCD-RDRRMC).
As of 9 p.m. on September 27, OCD reported that 98,098 families or 354,906 individuals in the region were affected by tropical cyclones “Mirasol”, “Nando”, and “Opong”, along with the intensified monsoon rains.
While Typhoon “Opong” has weakened and is less likely to bring further heavy downpours, scattered rains and thunderstorms remain forecast over Western Visayas and several other regions in the next 24 hours.
Breakdown of Affected Population
* Aklan – 173 barangays (13,289 families / 49,750 individuals)
* Antique – 327 barangays (33,938 families / 114,748 individuals)
* Capiz – 230 barangays (15,854 families / 58,277 individuals)
* Iloilo – 466 barangays (27,203 families / 97,515 individuals)
* Guimaras – 88 barangays (7,814 families / 34,616 individuals)
Of the displaced, 5,593 families (18,668 individuals) sought refuge in 407 evacuation centers, while 14,567 families (55,816 individuals) were assisted outside the facilities. Iloilo posted the highest number of evacuees outside centers with 10,251 families or 39,701 individuals.
Damage to Infrastructure and Homes
Five road sections and three bridges were affected across the region. Two bridges in Antique remain impassable, while in Iloilo, one road and one bridge could not be traversed as of the latest update.
A total of 40 houses were damaged: 32 partially and 8 totally. Damages were recorded in Aklan (7 partial, 1 total), Antique (16 partial), Capiz (1 total), and Iloilo (9 partial, 6 total).
Focus on Iloilo’s Fifth District
The Iloilo Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said 31 municipalities were hit, with the 5th District bearing the brunt. San Dionisio topped the list with 26 barangays damaged, followed by Batad (24), Lemery (23), Balasan (13), Barotac Viejo (10), Carles (7), and Sara (4).
Retired Colonel Cornelio Salinas, PDRRMO head, noted that while the 3rd and 4th districts were also affected, “the typhoon’s path had the most severe impact on the 5th district.”
One Fatality
Salinas confirmed one casualty: Noel Canton, a 44-year-old fisherman from Barangay Baybay Norte, Miag-ao. Canton drowned during the height of Typhoon Opong, and his body was later found floating near the Iloilo Fish Port Complex in Barangay Tanza Baybay, City Proper, on September 26.
Class Suspensions
Classes at all levels in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental were suspended Friday to safeguard students and teachers. While government agencies providing essential services remained operational, LGUs were directed to implement flexible work arrangements for non-essential personnel./PN
