SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, Antique — Seventy-six barangays in nine towns in Antique province are grappling with the harsh reality of water shortage this year.
According to data from the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, eight barangays in Sibalom are affected by water scarcity; two in Tibiao; 10 in Sebaste; 14 in Anini-y; 22 in Valderrama; 21 in Patnongon; four in Barbaza and Belison, and three in Caluya.
Several of the affected local government units (LGU) have resorted to water rationing to address the needs of their affected residents.
State of Calamity
It is disheartening to learn that the entire province of Antique has been placed under a State of Calamity due to the impact of the El Niño phenomenon.
This declaration is not just a bureaucratic formality. It's a stark acknowledgment of the profound suffering and hardship endured by the people of Antique. It's a cry for help, a desperate plea for assistance in the face of an existential threat to their way of life.
Imagine waking up every day knowing that the most basic necessity of life – water – is no longer readily available. Imagine watching helplessly as crops wither in the fields, livestock perish from thirst, and families struggle to find enough water to drink, cook and bathe.
Compassion, Solidarity
This is the harsh reality facing the people of Antique, a reality that demands urgent attention and decisive action from government authorities and humanitarian organizations alike.
The State of Calamity may provide some legal and logistical framework for response efforts but it's the compassion and solidarity of fellow Filipinos that truly makes a difference in the lives of those affected.
As we reflect on this unfolding crisis, let us not turn a blind eye to the plight of our brothers and sisters in Antique.
Let us extend a helping hand, whether through donations, volunteer work, or simply raising awareness about their situation. Let us stand in solidarity with the people of Antique as they face this challenging time, reminding them that they are not alone in their struggle for survival and resilience.
Photo courtesy of Patnongon LGU
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #WaterCrisis #AntiqueLGU