Opong intensifies, to hit Luzon this weekend

President Marcos yesterday led a meeting of disaster management officials at Camp Aguinaldo as Severe Tropical Storm Opong intensified and moved closer to the country.

- By ALEXIS ROMERO

The meeting focused on ensuring government readiness and maximizing logistics and prepositioned resources for Opong (international name Bualoi), which is expected to make landfall over the Bicol Region by Friday.

“The President was satisfied with the extent of preparations and the prepositioning of needed goods and supplies,” Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. told reporters after the meeting.

“We hope that Opong will not be that strong so we can be spared somehow, but we have to prepare for the worst-case scenario,” he added.

Before the meeting, local governments and disaster officials had begun preparations for possible evacuations and other precautionary measures to mitigate flooding, landslides, strong winds and storm surges.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has prepositioned over P3.1 billion worth of relief supplies nationwide. This includes 2.5 million food packs, nonfood items and financial aid to support affected communities.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) is also on heightened alert, with floating assets and response teams strategically positioned in key areas.