Manila, Sept. 25 -- More than 4,000 families in the Bicol Region have been evacuated to ensure their safety from the impact of Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi), the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) said on Thursday.

In a phone interview, OCD-5 Director Claudio Yucot said 4,023 families or 13,884 individuals are in various evacuation centers across five provinces in the region.

"The number of families and individuals is expected to increase as additional reports from local government units have yet to be submitted," he said.

He said 25 seaports have already cancelled sea travel, leaving 2,200 passengers from Albay, Masbate, and Sorsogon stranded, along with the drivers of 916 cargoes and four vessels.

A total of 1,1...