Over 2,000 Iloilo City Residents Still in Evacuation Centers After Storm Opong

In the wake of Severe Tropical Storm Opong, more than 2,000 residents of Iloilo City remain displaced and are currently sheltered in evacuation centers. According to local authorities, 727 families—amounting to 2,431 individuals—are still being accommodated in these safe zones as floodwaters continue to affect large sections of the city.

The storm battered 99 barangays across Iloilo City, inundating homes, blocking roads, and forcing many families to leave their residences.  As of now, 82 of those barangays remain underwater. In total, Opong has displaced 692 families—equivalent to 2,529 people—across the city.

Of that number, 139 families (445 persons) are staying in 19 evacuation centers specifically operated for sheltering those most severely affected.

The city government has mobilized several relief measures in response to the crisis. Community kitchens have been activated within the evacuation centers to ensure that displaced families receive hot meals daily.

To address the needs of stranded travelers, food is also being distributed at transport hubs such as the Lapuz roll-on/roll-off port and Parola wharf.

Given the heightened risk of waterborne diseases, particularly leptospirosis, the city health office has opened district centers offering free doxycycline prophylaxis to flood-affected residents. As of early afternoon, 4,545 individuals have already received the antibiotic.

Meanwhile, emergency response teams remain on full alert, clearing fallen trees, removing hazards, and restoring access to blocked roads across affected areas.

Capacity is not a major constraint: across Iloilo City’s seven districts, 450 evacuation centers are operational, with a collective capacity to host over 45,000 families—or more than 200,000 people. Still, the number of displaced shows the severity of Opong’s impact on the urban landscape and communities.

City officials stress that the response is ongoing and will extend beyond immediate shelter and sustenance. Authorities are coordinating to repair infrastructure, restore utilities, and assess property damage for eventual rehabilitation and recovery.

The goal is to facilitate safe and orderly returns for displaced families as floodwaters recede and conditions improve.

As the city battles the aftermath of Opong, local leaders also continue monitoring neighboring regions and coordinating with national agencies. The Philippine National Police, for example, has deployed over 7,000 personnel nationwide to assist in rescue and relief operations prompted by the storm.

For Iloilo City residents still sheltered in temporary centers, the coming days will be crucial. The priority remains to maintain subsistence support, uphold public health safeguards, and begin long-term recovery planning—so that evacuees can eventually return home safely and rebuild their lives in the storm’s aftermath.