ILOILO — Torrential rains from the combined effects of the habagat (southwest monsoon) and Tropical Cyclone “Crising” have displaced nearly 73,000 individuals and disrupted classes, transportation, and infrastructure across Western Visayas, with the province of Antique bearing the brunt of the damage, according to the latest report from the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) Region 6.
As of 6:40 p.m. on July 19, the OCD reported that 21,939 families or 72,958 individuals had been affected by the severe weather, with 1,599 families or 4,965 individuals housed in 63 evacuation centers, and another 750 families or 2,723 persons being assisted outside evacuation sites.
Antique province alone accounted for over 94 percent of the total displaced individuals, with 20,679 families or 68,748 individuals from 220 barangays impacted.
Aklan followed with 980 families (3,539 individuals), while Iloilo reported 212 families (400 individuals), and Capiz had 68 families (271 individuals) affected.
In terms of evacuation, 53 centers were opened in Antique, hosting 1,545 families (4,752 individuals).
Iloilo had six evacuation centers sheltering 46 families (196 individuals), and Aklan had four centers with eight families (17 individuals).
Outside these facilities, 542 families in Antique, 129 in Aklan, 68 in Capiz, and 11 in Iloilo received aid.
The damage to infrastructure was also substantial. Twenty-three road sections and five bridges across the region were rendered impassable or partially passable.
In Antique, four roads and three bridges remained completely inaccessible. Iloilo and Capiz also reported damaged roads.
Sea travel was not spared either. Four boat trips were cancelled — three in Guimaras and one in Iloilo — leaving 65 passengers stranded, 50 in Iloilo and 15 in Antique.
The storm also damaged a total of 150 houses: 86 in Aklan, 58 in Antique, and six in Iloilo. Of these, 21 homes were totally destroyed, while 129 sustained partial damage.
A total of 5,676 families have been provided assistance amounting to P3,914,932.05. Antique received the largest support (4,695 families), followed by Aklan (848), Capiz (68), and Iloilo (65).
Meanwhile, the Department of Education (DepEd) suspended classes on July 18, affecting over 731,000 learners across 2,370 public schools in the region. Students were transitioned to online or Alternative Delivery Mode (ADM) options pursuant to DepEd Order No. 27, s. 2022 and DepEd Order No. 009, s. 2024.
While “Crising” left the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Saturday, July 19, the habagat remains active, bringing persistent overcast skies and intermittent moderate to heavy rainfall./PN
