THE Sangguniang Panlalawigan officially declared the province of Antique under a state of calamity at 2:51 p.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, through Resolution 082(1)-2025, as rains and flooding caused widespread damage across multiple municipalities.
The declaration authorizes Governor Paolo Javier to utilize the province’s quick response fund (QRF) to support urgent relief, recovery, and search and rescue efforts.
As of July 24, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Antique has coordinated with the Office of the Civil Defense – Regional Office in Western Visayas (OCD 6) for an aerial search and retrieval operation scheduled on July 25. The mission aims to locate two missing individuals from Barangay Bacalan, Sebaste, who were swept away during the onslaught of Tropical Depression Crising.
Also on July 24, the PDRRMO responded to an emergency call from the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) in Patnongon regarding a Tipolo tree threatening to fall along the national highway in Barangay Apgahan. The tree was cleared, and the road was declared passable with the assistance of personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and MDRRMO Patnongon.
On July 25, the seawall in Barangay Bulanao, Libertad was hit by strong waves, causing seawater to overflow onto the road and reach the covered gymnasium in Barangay Diya. Residents were advised to remain vigilant as the weather continued to worsen.
A heavy downpour was also recorded in the towns of Patnongon and Belison at 1:15 p.m., Friday, July 25. In Sibalom, water from Banwa’s garden near Crossing Aldea overflowed and neared the roadside, prompting authorities to remind motorists to exercise caution when traveling.
Emergency and relief efforts continue as the province addresses the impact of successive weather disturbances, including the Southwest Monsoon, and Typhoon Emong.
As of 5 a.m. on July 25, 2025, Typhoon Emong was accelerating and was expected to make landfall in Ilocos Sur or northern La Union. It was likely to maintain its strength as it made its second landfall, but a weakening trend was expected. The center of Emong was estimated to be over the coastal waters of Bangar, La Union. Maximum sustained winds were at 120 km/h near the center, with gusts of up to 165 km/h. A Gale Warning was in effect for the seaboards of Northern Luzon and Central and Southern Luzon. (Leo Solinap/SunStar Philippines)