26/09/2025
TROPICAL CYCLONE BULLETIN NR. 16
Severe Tropical Storm (BUALOI)
Issued at 8:00 AM, 26 September 2025
Valid for broadcast until the next bulletin at 11:00 AM today.
OPONG ACCELERATES WHILE MOVING WEST NORTHWESTWARD AND IS NOW APPROACHING ROMBLON.
• Location of Center (7:00 AM)
The center of Severe Tropical Storm OPONG was estimated based on all available data over the coastal waters of Mandaon, Masbate (12.3°N, 123.1°E).
• Intensity
Maximum sustained winds of 110 km/h near the center, gustiness of up to 150 km/h, and central pressure of 985 hPa.
• Present Movement
West northwestward at 30 km/h
• Extent of Tropical Cyclone Winds
Strong to storm-force winds extend outwards up to 460 km from the center
TROPICAL CYCLONE WIND SIGNALS (TCWS) IN EFFECT
TCWS No.3
Wind threat:
Storm-force winds
Warning lead time: 18 hours
Range of wind speeds: 89 to 117 km/h (Beaufort 10 to 11)
Potential impacts of winds: Moderate to significant threat to life and property
Luzon:
Storm-force winds Sorsogon, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands, Albay, the western and southern portions of Camarines Sur (Buhi, Iriga City, Bato, Nabua, Balatan, Baao, Bula, Minalabac, San Fernando, Pamplona, Pasacao, Libmanan, Sagñay, Tigaon, Pili, Ocampo, Calabanga, Naga City, Bombon, Canaman, Magarao, Gainza, Milaor, Camaligan, Cabusao, Sipocot, Lupi, Ragay, Del Gallego), the southern portion of Quezon (San Francisco, San Andres, San Narciso, Mulanay, Buenavista, Catanauan, General Luna, Guinayangan, Lopez, Macalelon, Tagkawayan, Calauag, Gumaca, Pitogo, Unisan, Plaridel, Atimonan, Padre Burgos, Agdangan, Pagbilao, City of Tayabas, Lucban, Sampaloc, Lucena City, Sariaya, Candelaria, Dolores, Tiaong, San Antonio), Marinduque, Romblon, Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Islands, Batangas, and the southern portion of Laguna (Alaminos, San Pablo City, Rizal, Nagcarlan, Liliw, Majayjay, Luisiana) The western portion of Northern Samar (Capul, San Antonio, San Vicente), the western portion of Samar (Tagapul-An, Almagro, Santo Niño), the extreme northern portion of Biliran (Maripipi), the northwestern portion of Capiz (Panay, Sapi-An, Ivisan, Roxas City), the northern portion of Aklan (Makato, Tangalan, Kalibo, New Washington, Ibajay, Lezo, Malay, Nabas, Numancia, Batan, Buruanga), and Caluya Islands
Visayas:
The western portion of Northern Samar (Capul, San Antonio, San Vicente), the western portion of Samar (Tagapul-An, Almagro, Santo Niño), the extreme northern portion of Biliran (Maripipi), the northwestern portion of Capiz (Panay, Sapi-An, Ivisan, Roxas City), the northern portion of Aklan (Makato, Tangalan, Kalibo, New Washington, Ibajay, Lezo, Malay, Nabas, Numancia, Batan, Buruanga), and Caluya Islands
TCWS No.2
Wind threat: Gale-force winds
Warning lead time: 24 hours
Range of wind speeds: 62 to 88 km/h (Beaufort 8 to 9)
Potential impacts of winds: Minor to moderate threat to life and property
Luzon:
Catanduanes, the rest of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, the rest of Quezon, the rest of Laguna, Rizal, Cavite, Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, the southern portion of Zambales (San Marcelino, Subic, Olongapo City, Castillejos, San Antonio, San Narciso, San Felipe), and Calamian Islands
Visayas:
The rest of Northern Samar, the northern portion of Eastern Samar (San Policarpo, Oras, Arteche, Jipapad, Maslog, Dolores, Can-Avid, Taft), the northern and central portions of Samar (Matuguinao, Calbayog City, Santa Margarita, San Jose de Buan, Gandara, San Jorge, Tarangnan, Pagsanghan, Paranas, Jiabong, Motiong, City of Catbalogan, Hinabangan, San Sebastian, Calbiga, Pinabacdao, Villareal, Talalora, Santa Rita, Daram, Zumarraga), the rest of Biliran, the northern portion of Leyte (Babatngon, San Miguel, Alangalang, Tacloban City, Barugo, Tunga, Jaro, Carigara, Kananga, Capoocan, Leyte, Tabango, Calubian, San Isidro, Villaba, Ormoc City, Matag-Ob, Palompon, Merida, Isabel, Santa Fe), the northern portion of Cebu (Medellin, Daanbantayan, Tabogon, City of Bogo, San Remigio, Borbon, Sogod, Tabuelan, Tuburan, Catmon, Carmen) including Camotes and Bantayan Islands, the extreme northern portion of Negros Occidental (Toboso, City of Escalante, Sagay City, Cadiz City, Manapla, City of Victorias, Enrique B. Magalona), the northern portion of Iloilo (Estancia, Carles, Balasan, Batad, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Sara, Ajuy, Lemery, Barotac Viejo, San Rafael, San Enrique, City of Passi, Bingawan, Calinog), the rest of Capiz, the rest of Aklan, the northwestern portion of Antique (Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Culasi)
TCWS No.1
Wind threat: Strong winds
Warning lead time: 36 hours
Range of wind speeds: 39 to 61 km/h (Beaufort 6 to 7)
Potential impacts of winds: Minimal to minor threat to life and property
Luzon:
Quirino, the central and southern portions of Nueva Vizcaya (Alfonso Castañeda, Bayombong, Dupax del Norte, Ambaguio, Kayapa, Santa Fe, Aritao, Bambang, Dupax del Sur, Kasibu), the central and southern portions of Benguet (Itogon, Bokod, Kabayan, Atok, Kapangan, Tublay, La Trinidad, Sablan, Tuba, Baguio City), the central and southern portions of La Union (Rosario, Santo Tomas, Pugo, Tubao, Agoo, Aringay, Caba, Bauang, Naguilian, Burgos, Bagulin, City of San Fernando), Pangasinan, the central and southern portions of Aurora (Dinalungan, Dingalan, Baler, Maria Aurora, Dipaculao, San Luis), Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, the rest of Zambales, Cuyo Islands, and the northern portion of mainland Palawan (El Nido, Taytay, Dumaran, Araceli)
Visayas:
The rest of Eastern Samar, the rest of Samar, the rest of Leyte, Southern Leyte, the eastern and central portions of Bohol (Getafe, Talibon, Bien Unido, Ubay, Trinidad, Pres. Carlos P. Garcia, Mabini, San Miguel, Alicia, Candijay, Anda, Guindulman, Pilar, Dagohoy, Danao, Buenavista, Inabanga, Clarin, Sagbayan, Carmen, Sierra Bullones, Duero, Jagna), the central portion of Cebu (Asturias, Danao City, Compostela, Liloan, Consolacion, Cebu City, Balamban, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Toledo City, City of Talisay, Pinamungahan, Minglanilla, City of Naga, San Fernando, Aloguinsan, City of Carcar, Barili), the northern portion of Negros Oriental (Vallehermoso, Canlaon City, City of Guihulngan), the northern and central portions of Negros Occidental (Calatrava, Salvador Benedicto, San Carlos City, Silay City, City of Talisay, Bacolod City, Bago City, Murcia, La Castellana, Valladolid, Pulupandan, La Carlota City, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Moises Padilla, Isabela, Hinigaran), the central portion of Iloilo (Banate, Anilao, Dueñas, Di**le, Barotac Nuevo, Dumangas, Lambunao, Janiuay, Badiangan, Pototan, Mina, Zarraga, New Lucena, Cabatuan, Maasin), and the central portion of Antique (Tibiao, Barbaza, Bugasong, Laua-An, Valderrama)
Mindanao:
Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Norte including Siargao Island and Bucas Grande Islands
OTHER HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AREAS
Heavy Rainfall Outlook
Refer to Weather Advisory No. 27 issued at 5:00 AM today for the heavy rainfall outlook due to Tropical Cyclone OPONG and the Southwest Monsoon.
Severe Winds
The wind signals warn the public of the general wind threat over an area due to the tropical cyclone. Local winds may be slightly stronger/enhanced in coastal and upland/mountainous areas exposed to winds. Winds are less strong in areas sheltered from the prevailing wind direction.
• Moderate to significant impacts from storm-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No 3.
• Minor to moderate impacts from gale-force winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 2.
• Minimal to minor impacts from strong winds are possible within any of the areas under Wind Signal No. 1.
The Southwest Monsoon enhanced by OPONG, will bring strong to gale-force gusts over the following areas not under Wind Signal (especially in coastal and upland areas exposed to winds):
• Today: Ilocos Region, Cordillera Administrative Region, Cagayan Valley, Palawan, Visayas, Zamboanga del Norte, Misamis Occidental, Misamis Oriental, Camiguin, Caraga Region, and Davao Region.
• Tomorrow (27 September): Luzon and Western Visayas.
HAZARDS AFFECTING COASTAL WATERS
A Gale Warning is in effect over the seaboards of Southern Luzon and Visayas and the western seaboard of Central Luzon. Refer to Gale Warning No. 3 issued at 5:00 AM today.
24-Hour Sea Condition Outlook
Up to very rough, high, or very high over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 11.0 m: The seaboards of Eastern Samar, Northern Samar, Samar, Biliran, Masbate including Ticao and Burias Islands; the southern and eastern seaboards of Albay and Sorsogon.
• Up to 6.0 m: The seaboards of Romblon, Marinduque, and Oriental Mindoro; the northern seaboards of Leyte, Cebu, Iloilo, Capiz, and Aklan; the remaining seaboards of Bicol Region; the southern seaboards of Quezon and Batangas.
• Up to 4.5 m: The seaboards of Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, and Polillo Islands; the western seaboards of Zambales and Bataan; the remaining seaboards of Batangas
• Sea travel is risky for all types or tonnage of vessels. All mariners must remain in port or, if underway, seek shelter or safe harbor as soon as possible until winds and waves subside.
Up to rough seas over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 4.0 m: The seaboards of Isabela, Aurora, Cavite, Cuyo, and Calamian Islands; the remaining seaboards of Quezon
• Up to 3.5 m: The seaboards of Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, Pampanga, Bulacan, and Metro Manila; the remaining seaboard of Bataan; the seaboards of Ilocos Norte; the eastern seaboards of Dinagat and Siargao Islands; the western seaboard of northern Palawan
• Mariners of small seacrafts, including all types of motorbancas, are advised not to venture out to sea under these conditions, especially if inexperienced of operating ill-equipped vessels.
Up to moderate seas over the following coastal waters:
• Up to 2.5 m: The seaboards of Surigao del Norte, Davao del Sur, and Davao Oriental; the remaining seaboards of Palawan and Visayas.
• Mariners of motorbancas and similarly-sized vessels are advised to take precautionary measures while venturing out to sea and, if possible, avoid navigation under these conditions.
Coastal Inundation
There is a moderate to high risk of life-threatening storm surge with peak heights reaching 1.0 to 3.0 m within 24 hours over the low-lying or exposed coastal localities of Bataan, Metro Manila, CALABARZON, Occidental Mindoro including Lubang Island, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Calamian Islands, Bicol Region, Northern Samar, Samar, Negros Occidental, Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo. Refer to Storm Surge Warning No. 8 issued at 8:00 AM today for the details.
TRACK AND INTENSITY OUTLOOK
• It must be emphasized that heavy rainfall, severe winds, and storm surge may still be experienced in localities outside the landfall point and the forecast confidence cone. Refer to the hoisted Wind Signals (for direct wind threat of the tropical cyclone) and “Other Hazards affecting Land Areas” for more details. Furthermore, the track may still shift more to the north or to the south but within the limit of the forecast confidence cone.
• OPONG will continue moving west northwestward and may landfall or pass close over Romblon and Mindoro provinces within the next 12 hours, before emerging over the West Philippine Sea this afternoon or evening. It is then forecast to exit our Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow (27 September) afternoon.
• As OPONG crosses the archipelago, it will likely remain as a severe tropical storm. Re-intensification is highly likely once OPONG emerges over the West Philippine Sea.
Considering these developments, the public and disaster risk reduction and management offices concerned are advised to take all necessary measures to protect life and property. Persons living in areas identified to be highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards are advised to follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials. For heavy rainfall warnings, thunderstorm/rainfall advisories, and other severe weather information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by your local PAGASA Regional Services Division.
The next tropical cyclone bulletin will be issued at 11:00 AM today.
DOST-PAGASA
