Antique: Some 590 families, composed of 650 individuals from coastal areas in Antique, moved to safer places as Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Opong (international name Bualoi) continues to bring heavy rains and gusty winds on Friday. Antique Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer III Michael Tolentino said in an interview Friday that the evacuated families are from the northern municipalities of Barbaza, Culasi, Libertad, Valderrama, Tibiao, and the capital town San Jose de Buenavista.

According to Philippines News Agency, Tolentino mentioned that preemptive and forced evacuations have been implemented due to the wind surge along the coastal municipalities. A total of 256 families are staying in barangay halls and gymnasiums for their evacuation centers, while the rest preferred to stay with their relatives. Tolentino advised the public to refrain from going out of their homes unless they have essential transactions.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) continues to monitor the Ypayo River in the municipality of Patnongon, which has already reached its critical level, while the Tibiao River water level is above the normal level. Meanwhile, port operations in San Jose de Buenavista, Libertad, Culasi, Caluya, Pinagpala Port in Semirar, Caluya, as well as Culasi Poblacion to Mararison Island have been temporarily suspended.

There is no air travel at the Evelio B. Javier Airport in San Jose de Buenavista as the Philippine Airlines, the only flag carrier operating in the province, has only flights on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.