SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique – Local government units (LGUs) in this province must preemptively evacuate residents in low-lying areas threatened by flooding.
Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) head Broderick Train said in an interview Tuesday that the province is currently experiencing light to moderate rains and at times, heavy rain showers, due to Tropical Storm Kristine.
“We are still continuously monitoring the river beds, and so far, the water level has not yet risen to an alarming level,” Train said.
Closely monitored by the PDRRMO through the municipal DRRMOs are the Sibalom River in Sibalom town and the Paliwan River in Bugasong, which usually cause flooding in the southern and northern parts of Antique.
Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao, as chairperson of the PDRRM Council, issued Memorandum Order No.34 on Tuesday, activating the Blue Alert Level of emergency operation centers from provincial down to the barangay councils, mandating personnel to be on standby and ready to respond in case there would be a disaster.
“Work at the provincial government is still ongoing, though,” Train said.
He said in-person classes shifted to alternative delivery mode or modular classes in 16 municipalities to ensure the safety of learners, although Antique is not yet under storm warning signals as of posting time.
LGUs that have suspended in-person classes at all levels are San Remigio, Belison, Barbaza, Sebaste, Laua-an, Patnongon, Bugasong, Pandan, and Valderrama; and San Jose de Buenavista, Sibalom, Hamtic, Anini-y, Culasi, Tibiao, and Libertad for preschool to senior high school.
“Farmers should also secure their carabaos and other farm animals so they won’t get sick and that usually, these are the reasons why farmers get stranded,” Train said.
He said there were several incidents in the past when farmers got stranded and even drowned trying to save their farm animals on the other side of the river. (PNA)