Opong, monsoon affect 98K families; PHP 45M in damage recorded

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor and Jennifer P. Rendon

More than PHP 45 million in infrastructure and agricultural losses have been reported in Western Visayas due to the combined impact of Severe Tropical Storm Opong and the southwest monsoon, with Iloilo and Antique suffering the most damage.

The Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Region 6 (RDRRMC-6) reported that 98,098 families, or 354,906 individuals across 1,284 barangays, were affected by torrential rains, flooding, and landslides.

Antique recorded the highest number of affected families at 33,938, followed by Iloilo with 27,203; Capiz with 15,854; Aklan with 13,289; and Guimaras with 7,814.

At least 5,593 families, or 18,668 individuals, were served inside 407 evacuation centers across the region, while 14,567 families were assisted outside evacuation centers.

Infrastructure damage reached PHP 43.78 million, including PHP 37 million in Iloilo and PHP 6 million in Antique, according to RDRRMC-6.

In Iloilo, the Aganan Flood Control structures in Barangays Balabag and Amparo, Pavia, were among the major infrastructure affected.

In Antique, the Bacalan Bridge in Sebaste was declared impassable after its abutment was scoured, prompting the Department of Public Works and Highways in Western Visayas (DPWH-6) to warn motorists of a possible collapse if used.

DPWH-6 advised motorists to take the Iloilo–Capiz–Aklan–Antique Road as an alternate route.

The agency also announced plans to install a bailey bridge transom as a temporary measure to restore connectivity along the national road while full repairs are undertaken.

The Batonan Norte and Batonan Sur Bridge in Culasi, also part of the national road network, was deemed impassable to all vehicles due to risks of collapse.

Several road sections in Antique remain passable only to one-lane traffic, including the Iloilo–Antique Road in Barangay Igbarawan, Patnongon, which sustained road depression, pavement cracking, and settlement, and the Iloilo–Antique Road in Barangay Igbucagay, Hamtic.

Flood control structures were also damaged, including a revetment wall along the Bacalan River in Sebaste and another in Barangay Camancijan, Culasi.

Agricultural production losses reached PHP 1.72 million, affecting 237 farmers and fisherfolk, mostly in Iloilo.

The region also recorded 472 damaged houses, with 19 totally destroyed — five in Capiz and 13 in Iloilo.

An additional 40 houses were damaged based on reports from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region 6 (DSWD-6), with 32 partially destroyed and eight totally destroyed.

Meanwhile, authorities confirmed the death of Jefre Canja, 24, of Barangay Pandanan, Valderrama, Antique, who was swept away by floodwaters while gathering firewood with his brother on Friday.

Canja’s body was found along the banks of the Cangaranan River in Barangay Ilaures, Bugasong, on Saturday, Sept. 27, and was positively identified by his family.

The DSWD-6, through its Disaster Response Operations Monitoring and Information Center (DROMIC), reported that PHP 23.29 million in assistance has been provided to affected families across the region.

Iloilo received the highest allocation with PHP 10.86 million, followed by Antique with PHP 4.57 million; Capiz with PHP 3.67 million; Aklan with PHP 2.8 million; and Guimaras with PHP 1.39 million.

RDRRMC-6 noted that aside from Opong, the region was also affected by Tropical Cyclones Mirasol and Nando, which contributed to widespread flooding and infrastructure damage.

No injuries were reported during the storms and monsoon, though police had initially listed Canja as missing prior to the recovery of his body.