1 dead, over 1,400 displaced as Typhoon Opong hits Capiz

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — One person died and thousands were displaced after Typhoon Opong lashed the province of Capiz on Friday, September 26, particularly affecting the town of President Roxas.

Mayor Receliste Escolin confirmed that a man from Sitio Kamatis in Barangay Poblacion suffered a heart attack while watching the heavy downpour from a window in his home.

Escolin said the local government extended financial assistance to the victim’s family for burial expenses.

Flooding swamped several parts of President Roxas town, which bore the brunt of the typhoon’s impact.

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), a total of 1,489 families or 4,154 individuals were affected and evacuated to various evacuation centers.

Escolin added that food packs were distributed to the displaced residents.

Meanwhile, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that the overall impact of Typhoon Opong in the province was minimal, mostly due to intense rainfall and flooding.

The Provincial Agriculturist Office has yet to release the estimated cost of damage to agriculture and fishery production.