SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — Four towns in the province of Antique on Thursday suspended classes from pre-school to senior high school because of enhanced monsoon rains brought about by Typhoon Ompong.
Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Broderick Train, in an interview, said that the local government units (LGUs) of Sebaste, Hamtic, Culasi and San Remigio suspended classes in both private and public schools to ensure that school children are safe in their respective homes.
“In fact, the LGU of Hamtic already suspended the classes since yesterday (Wednesday),” Train said.
He added that the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (MDRRMCs) of all 18 towns have been activated as instructed by Antique Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao last September 10.
“The MDRRMCs are closely monitoring their local situations,” Train said.
He said the Provincial DRRMC, together with the Culasi MDRRMC, is closely monitoring the northern part of Antique, which is nearer to Luzon – where some areas have already been placed under Signal Number 1.
“Although Antique is not directly covered by the typhoon but then we are monitoring the monsoon rains,” Train said.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director for Operations Superintendent Norby Escobar said in a separate interview that the Antique Provincial Police Office (APPO) is ready to augment the forces of the PDRRMC if needed.
“We have trained search and rescue personnel ready to assist the PDRRMC,” he said,
He said that the APPO is also ready to utilize its other resources and vehicles in times of calamity. (Annabel Consuelo Petinglay/PNA)
