Residents of Barangay Dela Paz in Biñan, Laguna, evacuate on Friday, September 26, 2025, as floodwaters from Laguna de Bay continue to rise due to Severe Tropical Storm Opong. Families made their way to safer ground on their own, using improvised boats and makeshift rafts to navigate the flooded streets, following advisories of possible heavy rainfall due to #OpongPH. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Seeking to help address the needs of Filipinos affected by recent typhoons, the European Union has released on Friday €800 000 or P54 million in humanitarian aid.
In a statement Friday, the EU said the funding will provide emergency assistance to the hardest-hit communities, focusing on shelter, health, and water and sanitation needs.
The latest aid comes on top of the €6.5 million in assistance the EU has already allocated this year to strengthen the Philippines’ disaster preparedness.
Last Tuesday, the death toll from Severe Tropical Storm Opong in the province of Masbate has risen to 18, the provincial government said.
The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said last week over 2 million Filipinos were displaced or affected by the back-to-back onslaught of Mirasol, Nando, and Opong, along with the southwest monsoon.
After them, cyclone Paolo came and submerged some areas in flood waters.
Aside from these weather disturbances, the EU said it is also closely monitoring the situation in Cebu, where a magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Bogo City on September 30 — which left at least P3 billion worth of infrastructure damage in the province.
"The EU expresses its condolences to the families of the victims and stand ready to provide additional support pending on-going needs assessment," the EU said.