Antique: The Provincial Board has declared a state of calamity in Antique following the impact of Tropical Cyclone Opong, while simultaneously lifting the previous state of calamity declared for Tropical Cyclone Crising during its regular session on Monday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Michael Tolentino, the Antique Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) Officer III, stated in an interview on Tuesday that the priority utilization of the remaining PHP29 million quick response fund (QRF) is still being determined. He mentioned that families with houses damaged by Opong will receive assistance from the QRF. The cyclone destroyed 50 houses and partially damaged 704.

Tolentino further explained that Governor Paolo Everardo Javier has requested the provincial DRRM council to consider whether the repair of damaged infrastructure, including the Bacong Dike in Culasi, the Pangpang bridge in Sibalom, and the Bacalan Bridge in Sebaste, can be funded from the QRF. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) plans to seek assistance from the national DRRM council as the infrastructure damage has reached PHP335 million.

Despite lifting the state of calamity due to Crising, the provincial board has assured that affected local government units (LGUs) and residents will still receive aid. Tolentino noted that the assistance is currently undergoing the bidding process. A fund of PHP6 million has been allocated for the food and non-food needs of families and LGUs affected by Crising. Tolentino added that the decision to lift the previous declaration was made to prevent overlapping.