SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao on Monday led the relief distribution to evacuees in Barbaza town, which was affected by a landslide and floods.
Cadiao, assisted by the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) staff, distributed relief goods to 69 families, or 312 individuals, from barangays (villages) Binanu-an, Cubay, Yapo, Lisub, and Jinalinan.
The families were evacuated Sunday to their respective barangay halls as Cubay River already overflowed and a deadly landslide also occurred in the area due to continuous monsoon rains.
“We have distributed relief goods composed of sardines, noodles, rice and coffee,” Judy Malunda, PSWDO officer-in-charge, said in an interview.
Meanwhile, Prechie Alavata, Barbaza Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer, said since the water has already subsided Monday morning, the evacuated families from Cubay, Yapo, Lisub and Jinalinan have started returning to their respective homes.
Alavata, however, said around 20 families, composed of 90 persons, from Barangay Binanu-an where the landslide happened early morning of Sunday, killing two minors and injuring their mother, have yet to go back to their houses.
“The families from Barangay Binanu-an are not yet being advised to return to their homes because of the weather condition,” she said in a phone interview.
Alavata added that the local government unit of Barbaza and Rep. Paolo Everardo Javier also extended relief assistance and food packs to the affected families.
In Antique, classes were suspended in all levels throughout the province Monday because of the incessant southwest monsoon rains enhanced by Tropical Depression Josie.
Executive Judge Francisco Guzman of the Regional Trial Court of San Jose de Buenavista early Monday morning has also ordered the suspension of work of all judicial officials and employees because of the heavy downpour. (Annabel Consuelo Petinglay/PNA)
