Northern Samar Communities Show Resilience and Solidarity Ahead of Typhoon “Opong”

In a province often described as the “super highway” of tropical storms, Northern Samar once again found itself on high alert this week as Typhoon “Opong” (international name Bualoi) barreled across the Pacific. Initial forecasts warned of Signal No. 4 winds, evoking memories of past calamities and sending residents into swift action.

Although a sudden change in the typhoon’s track diverted its landfall toward Eastern Samar, the looming threat galvanized communities across Northern Samar—especially in the island town of Laoang, the province’s first line of defense against the Pacific Ocean.

Mayor Charlene Ongchuan, working closely with Governor Harris Ongchuan with the help of the head of local Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office Joey Acebron led a round-the-clock response operation. The Mayor coordinated with MDRRMO, PNP, firefighters, municipal educators, and healthcare workers to ensure no sector was left behind. Business leaders pitched in by donating food, and essential supplies to bolster relief stockpiles, while volunteers readied evacuation centers for the elderly, expectant mothers, and families from remote coastal barangays.

“What if the damage and casualties had been serious? My people would be devastated,” Mayor Ongchuan said. “With the preparation we’re doing before landfall, we can at least ease their burden and respond more quickly.” The preparations came at a sensitive time—just days before Laoang’s town fiesta—making the effort even more urgent for local officials and residents alike.

This mosaic of everyday acts—neighbors assisting neighbors, public servants working overtime, and private citizens volunteering supplies—painted a picture of a community united by shared experience and mutual care.

A critical part of the response was the island’s improved early-warning capacity. The PAGASA Doppler radar stationed in Laoang, one of only a few in the country, allowed officials to track Opong’s shifting path in real time. “We know storms are part of life here, but so is our ability to face them together,” Governor Ongchuan said, lauding the community’s heightened readiness and quick coordination.

Ultimately, Typhoon “Opong” spared Northern Samar from the direct hit many had feared. But for residents, prayers to the island’s Patron Saint, Saint Michael the Archangel help a lot, the days of preparation were far from wasted: resilience is built before the storm arrives.

In a province where nature’s power is a constant presence, the people of Northern Samar continue to write their own story—not only of survival but of solidarity. Their swift, compassionate response to Typhoon “Opong” stands as a testament to the community’s enduring spirit and its determination to safeguard lives, traditions, and hope, no matter how many storms come their way.