Locals ran for cover when the storm first made landfall in Cortes, Surigao del Sur at 9.15am local time (1.15am GMT) today.
It was downgraded from a tropical storm to a tropical depression after it hit the region but still had gusts of up to 50mph and winds at 30mph.
And the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said at least four people are believed to have died so far.
A huge evacuation of areas in the storm’s path has been launched, with hundreds of people taken to areas of safety.
Photos showed trees toppling over, flooded streets and several large landslides.
Some villages were said to be flooded waist-high as the storm caused havoc.
A red warning was issued for several regions, meaning serious flooding was likely, roads would be left impassable and there was a higher chance of more landslides.
The Dinagat Islands, Surigao del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, Camiguin, Misamis Oriental and the northern part of Bukidnon all had the alert.
Volunteers from the Philippine Red Cross headed to affected areas to hand out supplies and support devastated families.
A spokesman for the charity said: “Our staff and volunteers from different chapters affected by Basyang are now on full alert as the storm continues to threaten the country.”
In an update at 8pm local time (1pm GMT), PAGASA said the storm had slowed down slightly from its peak.
It was due to make landfall in the southern tip of Cebu at around 10pm local time.
The organisation warned: “Scattered to widespread moderate to heavy rains will prevail in the next 24 hours over Palawan and Visayas.
“Meanwhile, scattered light to moderate with at times heavy rains is expected over Bicol Region, Zamboanga Peninsula, Northern Mindanao, Caraga, and the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi.
“Residents of these areas must continue monitoring for updates, take appropriate measures against possible flooding and landslides, and coordinate with their respective local disaster risk reduction and management offices.
“Sea travel remains risky over the seaboards of areas under Tropical Cyclone Warning Signals.”