Opong displaces 109 families, 33 livestock; causes P600K in crop damage in MP

Torrential rains from Typhoon Opong forced the evacuation of 109 families and the displacement of 33 livestock this past Friday, September 26 in Moises Padilla town. The severe weather caused over P600,000 in agricultural losses across the municipality, in addition to property damage.

The heavy rainfall caused rivers and creeks to swell, severely impacting critical infrastructure and leading to the immediate flooding of houses near waterways. The local government successfully evacuated families from four barangays and managed the relocation of livestock.

According to the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) report, the affected families included forty-eight from Barangay 1, forty-three from Crossing Magallon, seventeen from Barangay 3, and one family from Barangay Inolingan. Evacuees were temporarily sheltered at the covered court of Barangay 1 and the local government’s main evacuation center in Barangay 6.
Mayor Mobilizes Response

Despite being on an official business trip outside the province together with other local officials, Mayor Ella Celestina Garcia-Yulo immediately ordered the mobilization of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Quick Response Team. She designated Sangguniang Bayan Members Absalon Alconera and Vincent Garcia as acting mayors in her absence.

In a video conference with the MDRRMO, the Mayor stressed the importance of keeping the evacuees safe, ensuring they were provided with food and clean drinking water. She also directed the Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (BDRRMO) to monitor the situation and assess property damage.

For his part, Vice Mayor Felix Mathias Segundo “Pimpoy” Yulo III ensured snacks were provided to the families at the evacuation centers.

The town’s medical team, led by Dr. Lyle Love Louise Ladera and staff from the Rural Health Unit (RHU), conducted medical check-ups on the evacuees. Security was provided by the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT).

Evacuees Return Home; Damage Assessed

All evacuees were safely sent home earlier today after the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Association (PAGASA) and the Provincial Government reported that the Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) was lifted over Negros Occidental and the skies had cleared.

The typhoon left damage to agriculture and property:

Crop Damage: Total crop damage reached P600,000, affecting 21.38 hectares. Rice suffered the most damage, followed by high-value crops and corn. The damaged crops spanned nine barangays: Quintin Remo, Odiong, Montilla, Magallon Cadre, Barangay 4, Barangay 6, Guinpana-an, Crossing Magallon, and Macagahay.

Property Damage: Fifty-seven houses were affected in total, with eleven being totally damaged and forty-six partially damaged.* (Conrado Garcia)