Communities in Masbate and Mindoro are reeling from the devastation left by Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi, locally known as Opong, which battered the Philippines with six landfalls in just 24 hours.
The storm, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on September 23, left nearly 213,000 people affected across 697 barangays in the provinces of Masbate and Mindoro. Government reports confirmed three fatalities in Masbate, while thousands of families remain displaced, with more than 37,000 individuals still sheltering in evacuation centers as of September 28 .
Widespread Damage and Displacement
Masbate was placed under a state of calamity on September 27 after suffering the brunt of Opong’s winds and floods. Roads, homes, schools, and power lines sustained severe damage, while Moises R. Espinosa Airport reported structural losses amounting to millions of pesos. Communication outages and prolonged blackouts have compounded the challenges, leaving families in darkness and isolation.
In Oriental and Occidental Mindoro, torrential rains triggered flooding that submerged agricultural lands and damaged homes, with losses in the farming sector estimated at nearly ₱500 million. At least 200 electric poles toppled, leaving more than half of Oriental Mindoro without power. Clearing operations are ongoing, but access to several municipalities remains hampered by blocked roads and debris .
ADRA Steps Into Action
In response, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Philippines quickly mobilized its Emergency Response Teams in affected regions. Coordinating with local government units and church partners, ADRA teams are conducting rapid needs assessments and delivering life-saving assistance. Psychosocial support has also been identified as an urgent need for families coping with loss and trauma .
In Masbate, ADRA’s teams reported hundreds of families still displaced, some living in evacuation centers and others under makeshift shelters. In Mindoro, displaced households are struggling with flooding, loss of crops, and health risks brought by stagnant water. ADRA staff under Project TOGETHER are actively monitoring needs in both provinces to guide targeted interventions .
Local and Global Solidarity
Support from the Adventist community has started to flow. The Central Visayan Conference committed counterpart funding to strengthen relief work in Masbate, while the Mindoro Island Mission pledged financial support for affected municipalities. ADRA Philippines is also coordinating with its global network and international donors to sustain operations amid overlapping emergencies, as the country recovers from both Opong and the recent Super Typhoon Nando .
A Call to Compassion
While floodwaters recede and roads begin to clear, the road to recovery remains long for thousands of families in Masbate and Mindoro. ADRA Philippines continues to appeal for prayers and support as it extends food, clean water, shelter materials, and hope to the hardest-hit communities.
“Behind the statistics are families trying to rebuild their lives,” said Dr. Hope Aperocho, ADRA Philippines Country Director. “With compassion and solidarity, we can help restore dignity and bring hope to those most affected.”
