ILOILO CITY — The municipality of San Jose de Buenavista in Antique province has been placed under a state of calamity after 16 of its 28 villages were flooded due to heavy rains induced by the southwest monsoon or habagat.
Acting upon the recommendation of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), the Sangguniang Bayan of San Jose de Buenavista passed Resolution No. 124 during its regular session on Friday placing Antique’s capital town under a state of calamity.
The floods destroyed or damaged crops, poultry, livestock and other means of livelihood, and rendered major roads impassable, according to the council.
Citing data from the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and the MDRRMO, the council said barangays Supa, Catungan-Bugarot, Bariri, Durog, Inabasan and Magcalon were severely hit, and that 1,169 evacuees had been recorded as of Friday morning.
Other barangays that have been submerged in water because of the southwest monsoon rains are Guinbangaan, Tubudan and Dalipe.
The heavy rains also caused the local government unit to suspend classes in all levels on Thursday and Friday.
Mayor Elmer Untaran already directed the MSWDO to coordinate with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office for augmentation in relief assistance.
San Jose de Buenavista has 28 municipalities, 13 of which are situated in the coastal area. (With reports from Annabel J. Petinglay/PNA)
