Antique: The provincial government of Antique, through its disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO), is on heightened alert following the magnitude 7.8 quake that struck several parts of Mindanao on Monday. 'Although Antique is not directly affected, we are on a heightened alert and closely monitoring the situation, knowing that earthquakes can happen anytime and anywhere,' Local Risk Reduction and Management Officer III Michael Tolentino said in an interview on Tuesday.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PDRRM Council, especially its Response Cluster, is on standby and ready for deployment in any eventuality. The Binirayan Sports Complex in San Jose de Buenavista has been identified as an evacuation center for the province.

Tolentino said that Antique is susceptible to earthquakes because of the West Panay Fault that traverses from the south to the northern part of the province, particularly the towns of Sibalom, San Remigio, Valderrama, and Pandan. On Jan. 25, 1948, Antique was struck by a magnitude 8.2 quake, locally known as Lady Caycay, the second-strongest earthquake in Philippine history. Its epicenter was located between the towns of Anini-y and Tobias Fornier.

Tolentino encouraged local government units (LGUs) in the province to conduct regular earthquake drills to prepare the general public. 'The PDRRMO is willing to assist the LGUs, schools, and even the private organizations in case they request the office to assist them in their earthquake drill,' Tolentino said. He added that the province will also join the second-quarter National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) on July 16.

Meanwhile, Tolentino advised school children to bring their umbrellas and raincoats as protection against the rain. 'We are now experiencing localized rain showers, so school children are being advised to bring their umbrellas and raincoats when they go to school so they will not get sick,' he said.