Marcos allots P100-M in aid to Masbate

By Rhaydz B. Barcia

Masbate City --- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has allocated ₱100 million in aid to the island province of Masbate to help local government units and affected families recover from the devastation brought by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name: Bualoi) on September 26.

President Marcos visited Masbate on Wednesday, accompanied by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Vince Dizon and Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Rex Gatchalian. The President led the distribution of relief assistance to families temporarily housed at Nursery Elementary School in Masbate City, one of the main evacuation sites.

During his visit, the President turned over two Starlink internet units to Nursery Elementary School, enabling evacuees to communicate with their families. He also inspected classrooms converted into evacuation centers and personally checked on the conditions of displaced families. Additionally, he assessed a school building that sustained damage during the storm.

Marcos oversaw the distribution of multi-agency aid, which included:

TUPAD payouts and government internship support from the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE)

Family food packs, hygiene kits, malongs, 10-meter laminated sacks, and water filtration kits from the DSWD

“Chari-timba” pails filled with groceries from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO)

Hot meals and mobile kitchen services from the Philippine Red Cross

The President’s presence brought a sense of hope and encouragement to evacuees from Barangay Nursery, many of whom were left homeless by the storm.

Under the DSWD’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program, ₱10,000 in cash assistance was distributed to each of 600 families. The DOLE Bicol regional office also handed over two checks totaling more than ₱34.8 million to the Masbate provincial government for livelihood programs and TUPAD assistance, benefitting 6,455 individuals across 11 municipalities.

In the aftermath of Typhoon Opong, many residents appealed for immediate aid, particularly for food, clean water, and construction materials to rebuild their homes.

One of them is Joseph Rañola, 26, a construction worker from Barangay Nursery and a father of one. Joseph helped rebuild a neighbor’s house through bayanihan (community spirit), but his own home was swept into the sea during the height of the storm. He appealed to Governor Richard Kho and President Marcos for help in reconstructing their homes.

Governor Kho has declared a state of calamity in Masbate following the widespread destruction. According to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), the storm left 19 people dead and displaced over 25,565 individuals, or more than 6,000 families, many of whom remain in evacuation centers.

Some families have returned to their original sites in Barangay Nursery, putting up makeshift shelters despite the dangers.

DSWD Bicol Regional Director Norman Laurio reported that 28,300 family food packs, valued at over ₱14.4 million, have been distributed in Masbate. Across the Bicol Region, the DSWD has provided more than ₱48.4 million in assistance.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) reported a total of 56,234 damaged homes in Masbate, including 11,690 totally destroyed and 44,544 partially damaged structures.

Meanwhile, in Legazpi City, the Dioceses across the Bicol region are appealing for public assistance and donations for the residents of Masbate, one of the provinces hardest hit by Typhoon Opong (international name: Bualoi) last Friday.

Bishop Joel “Bong” Z. Baylon of the Diocese of Legazpi in Albay has called on parishioners to extend help to the Diocese of Masbate, which suffered severe damage and casualties from the typhoon.

Baylon announced that the Diocese of Legazpi will dedicate its second collection during Masses this coming weekend — including anticipated Masses on Saturday, September 28, 2025 — to the “TAD” (meaning “leftover”) program, an initiative aimed at helping people in crisis situations.

“By giving generously, you are directly helping our brothers and sisters in Masbate who are struggling with loss, damage, and disruption caused by the storm. Your offering will be remitted through our diocesan channels to be sent as assistance as early as possible,” Baylon said.

“Let us come together in faith and solidarity. Your generosity will bring hope and concrete help where it is most needed,” he added.

Similarly, the Diocese of Virac in Catanduanes has also urged the faithful to unite and support the people of Masbate.

“In the spirit of unity and compassion, we extend our deepest solidarity to the people of Masbate as they face the aftermath of Typhoon Opong. As a Synodal Church, we come together to offer our prayerful support. We especially pray for families struggling to rebuild their homes. Let us keep our brothers and sisters in Masbate in mind and send them our prayers for hope and courage as they begin to recover,” the diocese said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Integrated Bar of the Philippines – Albay Chapter (IBP-Albay) has launched a donation drive to support affected lawyers, their families, and local communities in Masbate.

“We are humbly calling on the generosity of our members, partners, and friends to share what they can in this time of great need,” the IBP-Albay said in a statement.

They are accepting cash donations and in-kind contributions, including:

Canned goods and food packs

Bottled water, water purifiers, and water containers

Blankets and mattresses

Hygiene kits and flashlights

Donations may be dropped off at the IBP Albay Office in Bitano, Legazpi City. The deadline for donations is October 2, 2025. For coordination, donors may contact Atty. Leslie Lansangan at 0917-333-7744 or Ms. Arvie Banania at 0921-430-9799.

Masbate Parish Priest Appeals for Help

Fr. Raymond Rhys Anave Garrucho of Santa Teresa de Calcutta Parish in Masbate City has also appealed for urgent assistance following the devastation caused by Typhoon Opong on September 26.

Garrucho reported that many families in his parish were left homeless and severely affected as Opong lashed the island province before dawn with powerful winds and torrential rain.

He called on the public, national government agencies, and humanitarian organizations to extend help to the people of Masbate.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Bicol confirmed that Masbate was the most severely affected province in the region, with thousands displaced and widespread damage to homes, churches, and public infrastructure.

Casualties and Regional Impact

According to Claudio Yucot, OCD Regional Director and chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC), four deaths have been confirmed due to the typhoon — three in Masbate and one in Camarines Norte.

A 16-year-old boy in Masbate City was pinned by a collapsed wall due to strong winds.

A 30-year-old man in Monreal, Masbate, died after being struck by a fallen tree.

A six-year-old boy drowned in Masbate City.

In Mercedes, Camarines Norte, one fatality is under verification by the Management of the Dead and the Missing (MDM) Cluster to determine if the death is storm-related.

The OCD reported that 157,516 families or 596,184 individuals from 864 barangays across the Bicol Region were affected by Typhoon Opong.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) – Bicol stated that 81,751 families or 312,955 people are currently staying in evacuation centers, with 43,567 families (176,441 individuals) from Masbate alone.