Ibajay Municipal Government Declaration
The municipal government of Ibajay, Aklan declared a state of calamity Saturday after Severe Tropical Storm Opong caused widespread flooding.
Officials confirmed thirty-five barangays suffered damages, with many residential areas submerged and residents requiring immediate rescue operations from local government response teams.
Authorities emphasized that several barangays not previously flood-prone also experienced sudden flooding, catching residents unprepared and significantly complicating disaster management efforts.
Power Outage and Disruptions
Electricity supply in Ibajay completely went out for approximately ten hours during Friday, further worsening the difficult situation of displaced residents.
Power was only restored around nine o’clock Friday night, after linemen and utility workers conducted emergency repairs to damaged transmission lines and facilities.
Residents described challenges accessing essential goods, food, and communication, while floodwaters limited transportation, rescue mobility, and emergency assistance from provincial disaster offices.
Storm Landfalls and Regional Impact
The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) reported Opong made six destructive landfalls Friday, striking provinces in the Bicol and Visayas regions.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC), Masbate province endured the worst devastation, with extensive damage reported across communities.
Despite exiting the Philippine Area of Responsibility Saturday as a typhoon, Opong’s lingering rains and monsoon enhancement continued worsening conditions in several affected provinces.
Ongoing Relief and Recovery Efforts
Local governments have begun mobilizing relief distribution, ensuring affected households receive food packs, clean water, and temporary shelter through barangay disaster coordinating councils.
Authorities committed to deploying rescue units for stranded residents, prioritizing vulnerable groups including children, elderly, and persons with disabilities during evacuation operations.
The declaration of calamity authorizes Ibajay’s government to access emergency funds and implement immediate disaster response measures, accelerating rehabilitation and recovery efforts.
