ANTIQUE — Severe Tropical Storm (STS) “Opong” has left one dead, thousands affected, and millions in damages across Antique, according to the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and other government agencies.
A debriefing and assessment of post-storm operations was held on September 29 at Binirayan Hills, San Jose de Buenavista, involving the PDRRMO and response clusters.
As of 8:30 p.m. on September 28, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) reported that 164,267 individuals, or 48,203 families, were affected by the storm. The province has distributed 2,373 family food packs, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) supplemented relief with 37,838 food packs for displaced residents.
One life was lost: Jeffrey Canja, 24, of Pandanan, Valderrama, who was swept away by the Cangaranan River. His body was later recovered along the coastline of Iluares, Bugasong, about 10 meters from shore.
The storm damaged 593 houses — 551 partially and 42 totally — displacing dozens of families in the hardest-hit areas.
Additionally, the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO) reported an estimated P4 million in damage to the Pitac-Tibiao road, while the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) assessed P4 million in damages to three bridges.
The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) reported significant losses in agriculture and aquaculture, affecting various sectors across the province. In aquaculture, 284 fisherfolk in six municipalities suffered a total of P8.33 million in losses, including P44,000 in fishponds, P185,000 in fishing boats, and P8.1 million in seaweed farms. Rice fields incurred P10.44 million in damages across 499.55 hectares, with 29.36 hectares totally destroyed. Corn losses were reported by one farmer, totaling P21,600, while six farmers cultivating high-value commercial crops (HVCC) lost P639,350. Livestock losses were recorded by four farmers, amounting to P25,800.
Gov. Paolo S. Javier assured that affected families will receive immediate aid, with P10,000 in cash for those whose homes were totally destroyed and P5,000 for partially damaged homes, along with food packs and house repair materials.
PSWDO continues to validate affected households to avoid duplication of beneficiaries, particularly those impacted by both STS “Crising” and STS “Opong.”
Gov. Javier commended the PDRRMO for its proactive response and urged support from national agencies to strengthen Antique’s disaster risk management capacity. “The provincial government stands with every Antiqueño affected by this storm. We will continue to extend all available support until our communities are back on their feet. Let’s help each other,” he said.
The PDRRMO emphasized that coordination with national agencies, local governments, and humanitarian partners remains vital to ensure the province’s full recovery./PN
