Opong-hit Masbate may have no power for a month

Despite Typhoon Opong having left the Philippine Area of Responsibility last Saturday, repairs to restore  power and other services in Masbate may take up to a month due to the considerable damage caused by the storm.

According to JP Soriano’s Monday report on “24 Oras,” the Masbate National Comprehensive High School is one of the over 54 schools that incurred severe damage from Opong.

Fallen tree branches damaged its covered pathways, while some of classrooms had their roof torn away or were damaged by fallen trees.

Based on the Department of Education (DepEd) Division in Masbate, 57classrooms were totally damaged, 71 were partially major damaged, and 72 were partially minor damaged.

DepEd also logged 43 flooded classrooms and 11 affected by landslides.

Teachers and school administrators have been working to fix the damaged school facilities.

An 11-year-old campus journalist also died at the height of the storm when his room was struck by the concrete wall of a neighbor’s house. He is one of the nine fatalities in the island province.

Opong affected 150,000 individuals and left 14,000 partially damaged and 3,500 totally damaged houses.

The price of drinking water has increased from P25 to P45 since the water station uses electric generators due to the power outage.

There is also no cellphone signal. Some telecommunications companies provide free wifi but for a limited time.

Some roads remain impassable due to fallen electric posts and debris.

Authorities said power and water supply may return in about a month. An internet satellite was also provided for the province.

The Masbate local government unit said it will do its best to recover from the effects of Opong.

Classes are suspended for one week. Once it resumes, shifting classes will be implemented to cater to all returning students. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News