(Photo courtesy of Antique PDRRMO)
The Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office plans to acquire about Php 30 million worth of equipment to improve its emergency and disaster response capability.
PDRRMO chief Broderick Train said the province’s equipment limitations became more evident during the 2026 Western Visayas Regional Rescuelympics held from July 26 to 28.
Antique placed second behind defending champion Capiz, which had a wider range of response equipment during the regional competition.
Train said the proposed purchases included a boom truck, water tank, generator set and mobile command center.
The mobile command center would help responders maintain real-time communication in disaster-hit areas and support disaster preparedness caravans across the province’s 590 barangays.
Despite its equipment gap, Antique outperformed four other Western Visayas provinces in communication, coordination and incident command management.
The PDRRMO also planned to expand training on lifesaving, road safety and other emergency response skills to strengthen the capabilities of local disaster offices.
Train said the province would propose lifesaving training for disaster officials in Caluya during a visit to the island municipality in the second week of August.
