ANTIQUE — The state of calamity invoked in response to the El Niño phenomenon has been officially lifted in Antique, as declared by the provincial board in a resolution passed during their regular session on Monday. This decision follows the downgrading of the alert status to normal by regional authorities.
According to Philippines News Agency, the decision was influenced by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council's (RDRRMC) Memorandum Order No. 63, series of 2024, which indicated a return to normal conditions. "We are no longer suffering from the ill effects of the El Niño phenomenon. Thus, it is also time for us to lift the state of calamity," Condez stated during the session.
In an interview, Board Member Mayella Mae Plameras-Ladislao reflected on the recent visit of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to the province on June 27, during which he extended support to the local farmers and fisherfolk. "It is now time for the farmers and fisherfolk to move on with their lives," Ladislao commented, signaling a shift towards recovery and normalcy.
The lifting of the state of calamity comes after a significant impact on the province's population. The Antique Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) reported at the regular flag-raising ceremony on Monday that the El Niño phenomenon affected approximately 84,732 families or 301,432 individuals, primarily impacting the agricultural and fishing communities.
In response to the crisis, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) distributed 49,416 family food packs. Additionally, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) implemented a cash-for-work program that benefited 2,500 individuals. The provincial government also provided PHP5 million in financial support to 2,500 severely affected families, helping to alleviate the immediate hardships faced by the community during this period.