ANTIQUE — Following adverse weather conditions on Monday, all 18 municipalities in Antique have suspended in-person classes, and the provincial government has declared a half-day of work for capitol employees to ensure public safety.
According to Philippines News Agency, the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, in-person classes from preschool to senior high school across all local government units were suspended by noontime Monday. “Patnongon LGU is the last to have announced the suspension of classes Monday noontime,” Train stated during an interview. He noted that while the provincial capitol reduced working hours, essential offices like the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office remain operational.
The precautionary measures come in the wake of preemptive evacuations conducted in selected villages in Sibalom on Sunday night, impacting numerous families. Train reported that “54 families composed of 151 persons are staying in evacuation centers, while seven families consisting of 15 persons are temporarily staying with their relatives in safer areas.” Additionally, two barangays in Sibalom have implemented preemptive evacuations for families living along riverbanks or in flood-prone areas.
Despite the stormy weather, maritime operations continue at some ports. Val Ernie Daitao, Commander of the Antique Coast Guard Station, confirmed in a separate interview that passenger vessels traveling from the ports of Culasi to Mararison Island and Libertad to Caluya are still operational as there are no gale warnings currently in effect. However, he advised small fishing boats to take shelter temporarily due to the inclement weather.