Upon the instruction of the President, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has placed local government units (LGUs) on heightened alert as Severe Tropical Storm Opong (Bualoi) intensifies and threatens multiple regions across the country.

As of 5:00 PM, September 24, 2025, Opong packs maximum sustained winds of 130 km/h, bringing heavy to torrential rains and posing high risk to communities along its forecast track.

Alert Level Charlie (Red) covers 16 provinces directly threatened within a 100-kilometer diameter radius. These include Albay, Bataan, Batangas, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Cavite, Laguna, Marinduque, Masbate, Metro Manila, Northern Samar, Occidental Mindoro, Quezon, Rizal, and Sorsogon. Areas under this level should prepare for intense winds and torrential rainfall that may cause flooding, landslides, and damage to critical infrastructure.

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

Alert Level Alpha (Yellow) extends to 27 provinces within a 700-kilometer diameter 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 Department calls on all LGUs within the affected areas to activate Operation L!STO protocols, ensure preemptive evacuation of at-risk communities, and secure evacuation centers with adequate food, water, and medical supplies. Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees are reminded to intensify ground monitoring and coordinate 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. Maging #LISTO. Ang kahandaan ang magliligtas ng buhay.

The DILG Central Office Disaster Information Coordinating Center (CODIX) continues to monitor developments and provide real-time advisories to LGUs and the public.

The Department also calls on the public to remain vigilant, follow official advisories, and cooperate with local authorities, especially when evacuation orders are issued.

For reference, LGUs may access the following manuals:

*Operation L!STO Manual for Typhoon: [http://bit.ly/LISTO_Manual_v3] (http://bit.ly/LISTO_Manual_v3)

*Operation L!STO Manual for Localized Weather Disturbances: [http://bit.ly/LISTO_Manual_LWD] (http://bit.ly/LISTO_Manual_LWD)

*Operation L!STO Protocol for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases: [http://bit.ly/LISTO_MEID_v1] (http://bit.ly/LISTO_MEID_v1)

Original Article At: https://www.dilg.gov.ph/news/President-Marcos-Orders-national-agencies-LGUs-to-bolster-readiness-for-Typhoon-Opong-ensure-safety-of-citizens/NC-2025-1210