More than 200 families were displaced after big waves destroyed their stilt houses in Bongao, Tawi-Tawi.

In a video, some houses are seen crashing gradually into the sea after getting battered by big waves caused by strong winds in Barangay Tubig Tanah dawn on Sunday, July 20, 2025.

According to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), three other barangays were also hit by a storm surge a day before, which also damaged several houses and a footbridge.

These barangays are Tongsinah, Simandagit, and Pasiagan.

Up to 158 houses were damaged and 239 families were affected.

Authorities immediately rescued those who were affected, especially persons with illnesses, senior citizens, and persons with disability (PWDs).

The families affected were moved to an evacuation center in the town and were given assistance.

“Inuna natin ina-assist yung mga willing. Naka-assist din tayo ng mga maysakit, buti na lang may mga dalang gamit ang tropa at saka malaking tulong din sa mga tao yung  preparedness ng MDRRMC,” Coast Guard Station Central Tawi-Tawi Commander, LTJG Vasit Venturillo, said.

MDRRMO personnel and other agencies removed the debris from the sea.

“Kailangan namin siyang tanggalin sa dagat kasi kung hindi namin siya tanggalin, magko-cause ng more damages sa other houses dahil sa wave,” MDRRM Officer, Al Gibran Amilasan, said.

Repair works on the damage footbridge also started to restore access to residents affected.

MDRRMO said the incident was the due to the effects of the southwest monsoon (Habagat) intensified by Tropical Depression Crising.