SAN JOSE, Antique – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is closely monitoring seven high-risk municipalities in Antique as the rainy season begins.
PDRRMO head Broderick Train on Thursday said they are keeping an eye on the upland towns of Valderrama, San Remigio and Sibalom and the coastal towns of Hamtic, Culasi, Barbaza, and Bugasong.
Flashfloods and flooding there were recorded in the towns, he added.
“Last Friday, there was already one casualty due to flashflood in Hamtic,” said Train.
On June 5, a dead man was also found floating in the seawaters on Culasi. He was identified as the 58-year-old Roberto delos Santos, a fisherman.
He died of drowning, the PDRRMO said.
Train added that a group of local excursionists were rescued in the coastal waters of Patnongon town after strong waves and wind smashed the boat they were riding.
The PDRRMO head said they are collaborating with local DRRMOs and other agencies to monitor the areas.
“We have the unified communication system with the communication center here at the PDRRMO,” Train stressed.
The unified communication system is hooked up with the VHF radio repeater system of local government units from Tibiao town in northern Antique to the province’s southernmost town Anini-y for efficient reporting and emergency response.
The radio operators of these towns have their 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. radio check to ensure that they are on standby to receive relayed messages.
“The towns of Libertad and Valderrama are still working out to have their antennas installed to become part of this communication system,” Train said. (With a report from PNA/PN)
