By HENRY EMPEÑO | November 14, 2025

IBA, Zambales — The province of Zambales escaped the wrath of super typhoon “Uwan” (Fung-wong) with minimal damages and disruptions primarily due to proactive measures undertaken by local government units.

Gov. Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. said LGUs had been proactive in preparing for the typhoon and closely monitored the situation, as “Uwan” began lashing the province with gale-force winds late Sunday, November 10. 

Ebdane also inspected bridges and dikes in major river systems in the province Monday morning and gave the assurance that flood control infrastructures were holding up.

Zambales Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Rolex Estella said hundreds of residents from the 13 towns of Zambales heeded the call for preemptive evacuation due to expected storm surges.

A total of 8,104 families comprising 23,394 individuals evacuated to safety mostly in coastal communities in Santa Cruz town, with a total of 7,207 individuals; Botolan, 4,795; Masinloc, 3,084; Subic, 2,259; and Candelaria, 2,180.

The evacuees were temporarily housed in barangay halls, schools, and other public centers.

Elsewhere, the storm brought widespread flooding and intense winds along its path, particularly across the Bicol Region and Northern Luzon, causing at least 33 deaths and 52 injuries across the country, mostly from floods and landslides.

Due to its wide diameter of 1,800 kilometers, Uwan affected 16 out of 18 regions in the country. Authorities said some 7.6 million people were affected, and almost 303,400 people were displaced and relocated to evacuation centers.

The Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said Uwan has weakened into a typhoon as it exited the Philippine area of responsibility.

However, heavy rainfall warning remained hoisted over Zambales, along with several areas in Central Luzon, until Tuesday, November 12.

The PDRRMO issued Wind Signal No. 4 over the northern towns of Santa Cruz and Candelaria and Signal No. 3 over the rest of the province as of 5 a.m. Monday.

Flooding had also been reported in coastal areas and riverine communities in Masinloc, Santa Cruz, Subic, and Olongapo City during high tide on Sunday.

Most towns in Zambales also suffered from power interruption since Sunday evening, as strong winds toppled trees that snagged power lines. The National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) said it had restored power supply across Zambales as of 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Estella said that except for some partially damaged houses, no major damages had been reported thus far throughout Zambales. 