ANTIQUE — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) of Antique has recommended placing the entire province under a state of calamity due to the effects of the southwest monsoon enhanced by Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Opong.”
The recommendation was made during an emergency meeting held on October 16, 2025, at the PDRRM Office in Binirayan Hills, San Jose de Buenavista, where the council discussed urgent disaster response and recovery measures.
In its resolution, the PDRRMC urged the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) to declare a state of calamity and authorize Gov. Paolo S. Javier to utilize a portion of the province’s Quick Response Fund (QRF). The move aims to ensure the immediate delivery of assistance and the implementation of early recovery programs in affected areas.
The council’s action was prompted by the declarations of local states of calamity in the municipalities of Laua-an and Culasi. Although Antique remains under a state of calamity following the July 25 crisis, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6 advised that a separate declaration be issued to address the current disaster. The previous declaration cannot yet be lifted since QRF-funded interventions from that period are still ongoing.
Provincial Administrator Robin Rubinos said the PDRRMC will submit the OCD-6’s written recommendation to the SP by October 17, so it can be included in the council’s regular session on Monday.
During the same meeting, the PDRRMC also approved Draft Resolution No. 16, Series of 2025, recommending that Gov. Javier issue an executive order institutionalizing a Provincial Task Force to assess the structural integrity of government-owned buildings, schools, and other public assembly areas.
The resolution also urges local government units (LGUs) across Antique to form their own structural assessment task forces, organize disaster control groups, and regularly conduct earthquake drills.
Members of the council further proposed that the resolution include critical facilities such as airports, ports, and rural health unit buildings in the scope of structural assessments.
Both resolutions were unanimously approved as part of Antique’s ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness, enhance structural safety, and protect communities from potential hazards./PN
