The municipality of Mansalay, one of the areas where Typhoon Opong made landfall, is reeling from the storm’s impact with two fishermen still missing, extensive agricultural losses, and damaged homes reported across several barangays.
In an interview with DZRH’s Maynila Ito Ang Pilipinas, Mayor Ferdinand Maliwanag confirmed that while the weather has improved, power remains out in many parts of the town.
“Sa ngayon maganda ang panahon ngunit wala pa ring kuryente, pero inaayos naman po,” he said in an interview.
At the height of the storm, around 900 families were evacuated. By Saturday, evacuees had begun returning home.
“Wala na po simula kahapon (Sabado), nag-utay-utay na pong nagsi-alisan sa evacuation center. 900 families ang na-evacuate namin noong bagyo ng Friday,” Maliwanag said.
The mayor also reported that two young fishermen, aged 20 and 23, have been missing since Friday morning.
“Sila po’y nagpalaot noong Friday ng 5AM kasi ang sabi sa May maganda ang panahon pero noong lumapag ang bagyo dito sa amin ng 11:30AM, hanggang ngayon hindi pa po namin nakikita,” he explained.
Meanwhile, agriculture suffered heavy damage, with rice fields and banana plantations flattened in at least 15 barangays. Maliwanag placed the estimated losses at ₱50 million. “Aanihin po dapat kaya lang dapang-dapa ngayon dahil nga binaha ang mga tubigan dito sa amin. Wala na po, walang-wala na, hindi na kaya,” he said.
Residential areas were also hit hard. In Barangay Teresita, a tree collapsed on a family’s home, trapping an 11-year-old who was later rescued by their uncle.
“Maraming bahay ang napinsala dito. Lalo na ‘yong mga puno nagbagsakan sa kanilang bahay. Lalo na rito sa barangay Teresita merong isang 11 years old na nabagsakan ng puno ‘yong kanilang bahay. Buti na lang nasaklolohan ng kanyang tiyuhin upang maialis doon sa nabagsak na puno,” the mayor recounted.
Maliwanag said the local government had prepared relief goods before the storm but was unable to distribute them at the height of the typhoon. He added that Mansalay will declare a state of calamity on Monday to access emergency funds.
The mayor also appealed for assistance from the national government, saying financial aid is urgently needed for families who lost their homes.
“Ako’y nananawagan na tulungan kami lalong-lalo na ‘yong mga nasiraan ng bahay at nabagsakan dahil hindi po nila kaya muling bumangon kung walang tulong galing sa national government. Kailangan na kailangan po talaga ng financial assistance para maipatayo ang kanilang bahay,” he said.
Mayor Maliwanag also noted that the local government had already spent at least ₱3 million from its calamity fund in response to two earlier typhoons, leaving only limited resources to address the damages caused by Typhoon Opong.
“Nananawagan ako sa ating presidente at sa DSWD kay Sec. Gatchalian na kami ay tulungan dito, lalong-lalo na kahapon meron nang tatlong pamilya ang pumunta sa akin, humihingi sila ng tulong upang maitayo ang kanilang bahay,” the mayor added.
So far, local officials have yet to receive direct support from national agencies.
“Sa ngayon wala pa po. Naintidihan naman namin ang national government kahit medyo matagal kaming tugunan dito pero kung may darating naman eh malaking bagay na sa amin ‘yon,” Maliwanag noted.
