MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered national agencies and local government units (LGUs) to strengthen disaster preparedness and ensure the safety of citizens as Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name: Bualoi) intensifies and threatens several regions across the country.

Following the President’s directive, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) placed LGUs on heightened alert and directed them to activate Operation L!STO protocols, conduct preemptive evacuations in high-risk areas, and prepare evacuation centers with adequate food, water, and medical supplies.

As of 5 p.m. on September 24, 2025, Opong was packing maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h, bringing heavy to torrential rains and posing serious risks to communities along its forecast track.

Alert Level Charlie (Red) has been raised over 16 provinces directly threatened within a 100-kilometer radius: Albay, Bataan, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Masbate, Metro Manila, Northern Samar, Occidental Mindoro, Quezon, Rizal, and Sorsogon. These areas may experience torrential rainfall, destructive winds, flooding, landslides, and damage to infrastructure.

Alert Level Bravo (Orange) covers 10 provinces within a 300-kilometer radius, including Aurora, Bulacan, Eastern Samar, Nueva Ecija, Oriental Mindoro, Pampanga, Romblon, Samar, Tarlac, and Zambales. These provinces may experience strong winds of up to 85 km/h and heavy to intense rains.

Alert Level Alpha (Yellow) extends to 27 provinces within a 700-kilometer radius, including Abra, Aklan, Antique, Benguet, Biliran, Bohol, Capiz, Cebu, Dinagat Islands, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, La Union, Leyte, Mountain Province, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Nueva Vizcaya, Palawan, Pangasinan, Quirino, Southern Leyte, Surigao del Norte, and Surigao del Sur. These areas are expected to experience moderate to heavy rains and winds up to 45 km/h.

The DILG reminded barangay disaster committees to intensify ground monitoring and coordinate closely with local police, fire, and rescue units.

“As mandated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the DILG is ensuring that LGUs strictly carry out preparedness and response measures to safeguard lives and communities,” the Department said.

The DILG Central Office Disaster Information Coordinating Center (CODIX) continues to monitor the situation and provide real-time advisories. The public was urged to remain vigilant, follow official advisories, and cooperate with authorities, especially when evacuation orders are issued.