The provincial government here commenced on Thursday the revalidation of families and barangays affected by El Niño as it gears to provide assistance to those hit by the weather phenomenon.

Michael Tolentino, officer-in-charge of the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) response team led the revalidation.

He said severely affected individuals in crisis situations (AICS) would receive assistance.

As of April 25, the province has 53,099 affected families, equivalent to 196,991 individuals, from the 12,552 families or 50,292 individuals on their April 15 data.

“The Antique provincial board, during its declaration of the state of calamity, has also approved the utilization of PHP10 million out of the Quick Response Fund (QRF) for assistance,” Tolentino said in an interview.

Fifty percent of the QRF will go to AICS, and the remaining amount for purchasing mobile water tanks, hoses, and other accessories for barangays already suffering from a lack of water for drinking and hygienic purposes.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and Philippine National Police (PNP) will have gasoline allocation for water rationing in the barangays.

“Emergency procurement of the water tanks is also ongoing, so it could be delivered already to the barangays,” Tolentino said, adding that they will acquire 63 mobile water tanks.

Barangays in Sibalom are among priority, the first town in Antique to declare a state of calamity.

Aside from the PHP74 million worth of losses on rice, corn, and other high-value crops, eight barangays of the town suffer from a lack of water. (PNA)