‘Opong’ displaces 39,000 in Western Visayas: Landslides, floods ravage roads, isolate ports across region

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Mariela Angella Oladive

Western Visayas was left reeling on Friday after Severe Tropical Storm Opong triggered widespread flooding and landslides, displacing thousands of families and damaging roads, bridges, and coastal infrastructure.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) reported that 10,403 families or 39,086 individuals across 367 barangays in Aklan, Antique, Iloilo, and Capiz were affected by the storm and monsoon rains enhanced by tropical cyclones Mirasol and Nando.

Of the total, 3,572 families or 11,776 individuals are staying in 241 evacuation centers, while 1,239 families or 4,469 persons are temporarily housed with relatives and friends.

Aklan recorded the most affected families with 4,041, followed by Antique with 3,435 and Iloilo with 2,601.

At least 40 houses were damaged—eight of them totally—including 16 in Antique and 15 in Iloilo.

The DSWD has provided PHP 1.98 million worth of food, non-food items, and financial assistance, while prepositioned relief resources remain at PHP 112.19 million, including PHP 2.79 million in standby funds and PHP 114.98 million worth of food and supplies.

In Iloilo, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) chief Cornelio Salinas reported rain-induced landslides in Tubungan, Miag-ao, Carles, and other municipalities, along with a drowning incident in Carles.

Preemptive evacuations were carried out in 32 barangays, including 14 in San Dionisio and nine in Batad.

In Antique, flooding and landslides rendered several major roads impassable in Culasi, Tibiao, Bugasong, Laua-an, and Sebaste.

Mudslides also occurred in Barangay Omlot in Laua-an and along the national road in Barangay Igbarawan, Patnongon, which was cleared by Friday afternoon.

The Quibanan Bacalan Bridge in Sebaste and Batonan Norte Bridge in Culasi were closed to all vehicles, while the PHP 200 million Camancijan Mega Dike in Culasi sustained structural damage due to strong river currents.

On the remote island of Caluya, 869 families or 2,721 individuals were evacuated from eight barangays due to possible storm surges reaching up to two meters.

In Iloilo City, 692 families or 2,529 individuals were affected by flooding in 86 barangays, with 139 families or 445 persons taking shelter in 19 evacuation centers.

A total of 1,316 personnel from 109 organizations have been deployed to assist in rescue, relief, and evacuation operations.

Sea travel across the region was suspended by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), affecting 34 ports and stranding 1,449 passengers, 195 rolling cargoes, and 13 vessels.

The suspension covered Estancia, Carles, Concepcion, Ajuy, Banate, and Dumangas in Iloilo; ferry services between Iloilo City and Guimaras; and fastcraft, RoRo, and pump boat operations.

Fastcraft trips between Iloilo and Bacolod, the 2GO Iloilo–Manila route, and voyages to Cebu were also canceled.

In Aklan, the PCG halted departures from Caticlan, Tabon, Alegria, Sambiray, and Dumagit ports to Batangas, Mindoro, Romblon, and nearby islands.

According to the Coast Guard District Western Visayas (CGDWV), from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, 1,113 passengers, 180 vessels, and 13 rolling cargoes were stranded in Iloilo alone.

In Antique, 332 passengers and 15 rolling cargoes were stranded; in Guimaras, four passengers were delayed; and in Aklan, three rolling cargoes were unable to depart.

In Capiz, three vessels were stranded and 89 motorbancas sought shelter.

The PCG advised passengers and shippers to continue coordinating with port authorities as sea conditions remain volatile.

Commodore Christopher Auro, commander of the Coast Guard District Southern Visayas, emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant and monitoring official weather bulletins.