SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — Following the overflow of the Paliwan River, triggered by heavy rainfall from an enhanced southwest monsoon, nineteen families from Laua-an Municipality have been temporarily relocated to a National Housing Authority (NHA) site.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Aser Baladjay reported that the affected households, previously residing along the river in Sitio Talutog, Barangay Guinbanga-an, faced significant losses as the surging waters washed away their homes. The relocation effort, aimed at ensuring the safety of these families, placed them in a safer area within the same barangay.
During a site visit on Wednesday, Antique Representative Antonio Agapito Legarda, alongside officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), conducted an ocular inspection and extended relief assistance. Each household was provided with PHP100,000 by Rep. Legarda and his sibling, Senator Loren Legarda, to aid in rebuilding their homes.
Additionally, DPWH Assistant Regional Director Al Fruto and Antique District Engineer Betsy Uy proposed the construction of a PHP150 million mega dike to prevent future flooding. Rep. Legarda committed to assisting in securing the necessary funds for this crucial infrastructure project.
The mayor also highlighted ongoing concerns about compliance with “no build zones” in coastal and disaster-prone areas, referencing recent damage in Sebaste town where approximately 25 tombs were washed out due to the same weather disturbance. He noted that the flood also impacted other improperly placed structures along these vulnerable zones.
This series of events has led to the suspension of in-person classes in seven municipalities within the province from September 16 until Wednesday. The towns of Libertad, Hamtic, San Jose de Buenavista, and Tibiao have suspended classes from preschool to senior high school, while Culasi, Barbaza, and Anini-y have halted classes at all educational levels due to safety concerns.