Severe Tropical Storm Opong has affected 168,365 people in 352 barangays in Oriental Mindoro, causing P643.9 million in damages to the province, reports have said.

More than 52,400 families were impacted by the storm, with authorities evacuating 1,741 families totalling 5,537 people from high-risk areas before the typhoon’s peak.

As of Sunday morning, Sept. 28, 2025, 1,090 families or 3,543 individuals remain in temporary shelters across the province, with 950 families housed in 45 designated evacuation centers.

The storm destroyed or damaged 4,222 homes province-wide, with 559 completely destroyed and 3,663 partially damaged.

Bongabong municipality suffered the heaviest losses with 1,020 structures affected—239 totally destroyed and 781 partially damaged. 

Gloria followed with 686 homes damaged, while Bansud recorded 758 affected structures.

Other municipalities reporting damage include Pinamalayan (555 homes), Roxas (427), Naujan (337), Pola (223), Victoria (93), Puerto Galera (73), Calapan City (26), Baco (13), and San Teodoro (11).

The province’s agricultural heartland bore the brunt of Opong’s fury, with P498.4 million in losses to crops, farming equipment, and irrigation systems.

Infrastructure damage to roads, bridges, and public buildings added P145.5 million to the total damage bill.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported 40 injuries, eight people requiring medical attention for illness-related complications, and two missing persons from Wasig in Mansalay municipality.

Governor Bonz Dolor has kept the Provincial Emergency Operations Center on Red Alert as coordination of relief and recovery operations continues.

Authorities have distributed 600 hot meals to stranded passengers and 2,606 food packs to families in the hardest-hit areas of Roxas and Bansud.

All major roads and bridges are now passable, and seaport operations have resumed, restoring vital transport links across the province. 

Power restoration efforts are ongoing, while telecommunications and water distribution systems remain fully operational.

Major rivers have returned to normal levels after 13 barangays experienced flooding during the storm’s peak.

The PDRRMO maintains 24-hour emergency hotlines: (63) 948 146 0382 and (63) 920 951 3690 for operations and warnings, and (63) 916 220 1847 for research and planning.

Recovery teams are conducting detailed damage assessments to support rebuilding efforts across Oriental Mindoro’s affected city and towns.

Photos: courtesy of Bulalacao PNP Station