A WEATHER bureau official’s warning about climate change and stronger storms came into focus on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025, as severe tropical storm Opong (Bualoi) battered the Philippines, forcing mass evacuations.
During an interview with SunStar Cebu’s online news and commentary program, Beyond the Headlines, Pagasa Visayas chief Al Quiblat said that climate change is warming seas, which affects the strength and volume of tropical cyclones. He warned the public not to be complacent regarding wind gusts.
The warning carries weight as Opong demonstrated its destructive power across multiple regions, from rescuing a missing fisherman in Cebu’s Camotes Islands to nationwide evacuations affecting over 433,000 people.
Why Quiblat’s warning matters
Quiblat’s statement comes as the Philippines faces a dangerous weather pattern. Pagasa Visayas reported a 71 percent chance of La Niña affecting the country from October to December.
La Niña brings low pressure areas and storms. Between now and December, five to nine tropical cyclones will likely enter Philippine waters. There’s a 60 to 70 percent chance these will affect the Visayas.
October marks peak thunderstorm season, with heavy rainfall that can trigger flash floods. Cebu City faces significantly above-normal rainfall in December, according to Quiblat.
The weather official further said that climate change amplifies these natural patterns. Warmer seas fuel stronger storms with higher volumes of moisture, creating more dangerous conditions for coastal communities.
Opong’s effect on Cebu
Opong’s impact affected Cebu. Nearly 4,000 residents evacuated as the storm approached, with most coming from Madridejos (1,801 people) and Daanbantayan (1,380 people).
The storm paralyzed sea travel. The Philippine Coast Guard suspended all vessel movements in northern, central and southern Cebu waters. At least 217 passengers and 112 rolling cargoes were stranded in ports.
All 50 local government units in Cebu suspended classes, except Boljoon for private schools. Fishing activities stopped in Madridejos and San Remigio in northern Cebu.
A rescue operation saved fisherman Erick Tindog, 35, who went missing after venturing to sea Thursday evening, Sept. 25. Search teams found him Friday morning after
overnight operations.
National emergency response
The storm’s impact stretched far beyond Cebu. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council reported 14 deaths from the combined effects of recent weather disturbances, including Opong.
Eight fatalities occurred in Cagayan, three each in the Cordilleras and Central Luzon. Two people remain missing in Bicol and Cordillera regions, while 17 others were injured.
More than 1.2 million people across 2,472 barangays felt the storm’s effects. About 7,391 families sought shelter in evacuation centers.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) preemptively evacuated around 120,888 families or close to 433,000 people. Most evacuees came from Bicol, Eastern Visayas and Mimaropa — regions directly in Opong’s path.
Government preparedness
Officials mobilized massive resources for the emergency response. The OCD deployed 52,000 personnel on standby to support local governments.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development prepared sufficient food and non-food items, backed by P3 billion in standby funds.
Communication infrastructure remained ready with 833 teams or equipment from the Department of Information and Communications Technology and other agencies.
Medical supplies were sufficient through the OCD health cluster, with aircraft and ships on standby for rescue operations.
Storm’s path
Severe tropical storm Opong made its first landfall as a typhoon in San Policarpo, Eastern Samar at 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, bringing intense winds and prompting evacuations. It weakened slightly before its second landfall in Palanas, Masbate at 4 a.m. Friday, causing heavy rains and localized flooding. The third landfall was in Milagros, Masbate, at 5:30 a.m.
Fourth and fifth landfalls occurred in San Fernando and Alcantara, Romblon. The sixth and final landfall was in Mansalay, Oriental Mindoro, at 11:30 a.m.
By 8:10 a.m., Opong struck San Fernando, Sibuyan Island, Romblon, continuing its west-northwestward path and triggering storm surge warnings across coastal communities.
As of 5 p.m. Friday, Pagasa located Opong over the Mindoro Strait, moving west-northwest at 20 kilometers per hour (km/h).
The severe tropical storm maintained maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h and gusts of up to 150 km/h after weakening. Opong was forecast to exit Philippine waters Friday night and leave the area of responsibility Saturday morning, Sept. 27.
What lies ahead
Quiblat’s warning about climate change and stronger storms reflects a growing reality for the Philippines. The country sits in one of the world’s most active typhoon zones and warming seas intensify these natural hazards.
Pagasa Visayas coordinates with the OCD and local governments to conduct pre-disaster risk assessments and issue warnings. This preparation becomes more critical as climate change makes storms less predictable and potentially more dangerous.
The combination of warmer seas and the La Niña phenomenon suggests the country is entering a period of heightened risk. Preemptive evacuations, like those seen for Opong, are becoming a critical part of the government’s strategy to mitigate disaster. For communities in the path of these storms, the “new normal” requires greater preparedness for more intense wind and rain. / CDF, ANV, TPM, PNA & BRYCE ABELLON, USJ-R INTERN