OCD verifying reports of 4 dead, 6 missing amid Opong

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said Friday it is verifying reports of four deaths and six missing individuals as Severe Tropical Storm Opong continues to whip parts of the country.

Citing information from the National Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) on Friday morning, the OCD said the four reported deaths were in Bicol, while the six reported missing were in Eastern Visayas. 

"Kina-clarify po namin, we received those initial reports but then again sa proseso po, this is from the management of the dead and missing clusters and we would validate that through these clusters. But yes, those data are reportedly among the casualties, dead po 'yung apat," OCD spokesperson Junie Castillo said in a virtual press briefing.

(We want to clarify that we received those initial reports, but as part of the process, these are from the management of the dead and missing clusters, we would validate that information through those clusters. But yes, those data reportedly include four fatalities.)

The OCD said Opong's impact began Thursday night and was still being felt Friday morning, particularly in Bicol and Eastern Visayas, with the storm now moving toward MIMAROPA (Region IV-B).

"Alam naman natin ang Opong, naramdaman siya kagabi, ngayon ongoing pa ‘yung effects niya — Region 8, 5, ngayon papasok na siya sa IV-B," the OCD official said.

(We know Opong was felt last night, and its effects are ongoing — in Regions 8 and 5, and now it's entering Region IV-B.)

In its updated advisory late Friday morning, weather bureau PAGASA said Opong maintained strength after passing over the Sibuyan and Tablas Islands in Romblon as it now heads to Mindoro Island. 

Opong was last spotted over the coastal waters of Ferrol, Romblon packing maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 150 km/h, and a central pressure of 985 hPa.

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3 was hoisted over five Luzon provinces, the northern portion of Aklan, and Caluya Island in the Visayas.

The OCD also clarified that earlier reported casualties were not linked to Opong but to other weather systems such as Mirasol and Nando, as previously reported by the NDRRMC.

Stranded at ports

Meanwhile, hundreds of sea travelers were stranded at various ports nationwide as of posting time due to the suspension of sea travel brought about by the severe tropical storm.

The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) reported that multiple voyages were canceled as a precautionary measure, and urged travelers to coordinate directly with shipping lines before heading to ports.

"Paalala ng PPA na makipag-ugnayan muna sa mga concerned shipping lines bago pumunta sa pantalan para maiwasan ang anumang abala," the agency said in an advisory.

(The PPA reminds the public to coordinate with the concerned shipping lines before going to ports to avoid any inconvenience.)

The agency added that a total of 1,547 passengers were stranded at ports as of 6 a.m. today. Most of the affected travelers were at ports in Batangas (624), Panay and Guimaras (526), and Agusan (155).

In Metro Manila, the Port Management Office of NCR North, in coordination with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), distributed ready-to-eat food packs to at least 55 stranded passengers at the NorthPort Passenger Terminal on September 25.

Two vessels of transport company 2GO also sought shelter in anchorage areas Friday morning as part of safety precautions for Opong.

The PPA also reiterated its advice for travelers to stay home during the severe weather and await further announcements. — VDV, GMA Integrated News