THE Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday raised wind Signal No. 3 in six areas ahead of the forecast landfall of severe tropical storm “Opong” in the Eastern Visayas and Bicol regions today.
Metro Manila and 32 other areas were placed under Signal No. 1 while Signal No. 2 was up in 21 areas.
PAGASA said the highest wind signal that may be raised during Opong’s passage is Signal No. 4.
As of 7 p.m. yesterday, Opong was some 150 km east of Borongan City, Eastern Samar, It was moving west northwestward at 20 kph, packing maximum sustained winds of 110 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 135 kph.
Malacañang suspended classes in Metro Manila and 26 other areas, and work in government offices in Metro Manila and seven provinces due to expected heavy rainfall from Opong.
Based on a memorandum issue by Executive Secretary Lucas Besamin, covered by the work and class suspension order are government offices and classes at all levels in Metro Manila, Biliran, Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Masbate, Romblon and Sorsogon.
Also suspended are classes today in all levels in Aklan, Albay, Antique, Batangas, Bataan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Capiz, Cavite, Catanduanes, Guimaras, Iloilo, Laguna, Leyte, Marinduque, Negros Occidental, Oriental Mindoro, Rizal and Quezon.
Not covered by the work suspension are agencies responsible for basic, vital and health services.
Areas placed under Signal No. 3, based on PAGASA bulletin issued at 8 p.m., were Sorsogon, southern portion of Albay, Masbate, Northern Samar, northern portion of Eastern Samar, and northern portion of Samar.
The potential impacts of winds to life and property in areas under Signal No. 3 is “moderate to significant,” PAGASA said.
The 21 areas are under Signal No. 2 were Laguna, Batangas, southern portion of Quezon, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, rest of Albay, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Romblon, Calamian Islands, rest of Eastern Visayas, rest of Samar, Biliran, northern portion of Leyte, extreme northern portion of Cebu (including Bantayan Islands), northern portion of Aklan, northern portion of Capiz, northern portion of Iloilo, and Caluya Island.
The 33 areas placed under Signal No. 1, aside from Metro Manila, were central and southern portions of Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, southwestern portion of Mountain Province, Benguet, southern portion of Ilocos Sur, La Union, Pangasinan, Aurora, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, rest of Quezon, Cuyo Islands, northern mainland Palawan, rest of Leyte, Southern Leyte, northern portion of Bohol, northern portion of Cebu (including Camotes Islands), northern portion of Negros Occidental, central portion of Iloilo, rest of Capiz, rest of Aklan, northern portion of Antique, Surigao del Norte, and Dinagat Islands.
“Opong is forecast to make landfall over Northern Samar or the northern portion of Eastern Samar tomorrow (Friday) early morning before heading towards Bicol region, where it is likely to make another landfall in the vicinity of Sorsogon tomorrow (Friday) morning,” PAGASA said.
PAGASA said Opong may intensify into a typhoon before the landfall.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) warned of possible flow of lahar from Mayon Volcano in Albay, as Opong is expected to “bring heavy to intense rains” to Bicol today and tomorrow.
“These rains could generate volcanic sediment flows or lahars, muddy stream flows or muddy run-off in rivers and drainage areas on Mayon Volcano,” Phivolcs said.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) warned of flooding and landslides.
“Severe tropical storm Opong is bringing heavy rainfall and enhancing the southwest monsoon,” said OCD administrator Harold Cabreros.
“These rains are continuous and may cause renewed flooding, and landslides, especially in areas that are already saturated. Other hazards may also occur,” he added.
Malacañang ordered the implementation of 2024 National Disaster Response Plan (NDRP) which details comprehensive strategies for disaster risk reduction to save lives, provide quick assistance, and reduce the impact of disasters.
Bersamin, in a memorandum dated September 23, directed the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), through the OCD to spearhead implementation of the NDRP and orders all government agencies to support and follow the strategies. Bersamin also directed the Presidential Communications Office and the OCD to disseminate the 2024 NDRP to all concerned government agencies and offices.
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority said Metro Manila is ready for Opong.
MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes convened the Metro Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MMDRRMC) to finalize contingency plans in preparation for Opong.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development assured the public it has over P3.16 billion worth of cash (P515.5 million) and food and non-food non-items (P2.6 billion) ready to be tapped to assist those who will be affected by Opong.
The Philippine Army said 149 response teams (composed of 1,946 soldiers, reservists and militiamen) are ready for deployment to Bicol and the Eastern Visayas.
Acting PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr said police commanders in Bicol, Eastern Visayas, Calabarzon, Mimaropa and Metro Manila have been alerted and ordered to coordinate with concerned agencies to ensure coordinated response.
The Department of Interior and Local Government urged local chief executives in Bicol to “undertake immediate and proactive preparedness actions” due to possible lahar flows from Mayon Volcano. – With Jocelyn Reyes, Ashzel Hachero, and Gerard Naval
