Biliran: Biliran province was placed under a state of calamity due to widespread destruction caused by Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi).

According to Philippines News Agency, in a resolution approved late Monday, the Biliran provincial board sanctioned the declaration as heavy rains, strong winds, storm surges, and landslides left significant damage across the island province. The Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis revealed that over 15 percent of the province's population was affected, with severe disruptions to livelihoods and substantial damage to essential services like potable water supply.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) reported that damages to infrastructure, including national and provincial roads, bridges, school buildings, and health facilities, reached PHP1.2 billion. Initial assessments indicate that at least a thousand families have been displaced, with many homes either destroyed or partially damaged, forcing numerous individuals to seek refuge in temporary evacuation centers.

The declaration also highlighted the significant agricultural losses, estimated at PHP121 million, which have impacted the farming and fisheries sectors, threatening food security and the livelihoods of farmers and fisherfolk, who are among the most vulnerable in the province. The PDRRMC had earlier reported eight fatalities due to the storm in the towns of Kawayan, Maripipi, and Caibiran.

With the state of calamity declared, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, particularly the Quick Response Fund, will be utilized to support relief operations, rehabilitation, and recovery initiatives in the province. The provincial board noted that this declaration would also facilitate the extension of immediate assistance from national government agencies to the Biliran provincial government.

Biliran, one of the country's smallest provinces, has a population of over 179,000 across eight towns.