All 18 municipalities in Antique suspended in-person classes, while the provincial government declared half-day work for capitol employees due to inclement weather on Monday. Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Broderick Train said in an interview that as of noontime, 18 local government units (LGUs) suspended classes from preschool to senior high school to ensure the safety of learners. 'Patnongon LGU is the last to have announced the suspension of classes Monday noontime,' he said. He added that with the suspension of work at the provincial capitol, only offices vital in disaster response like the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, are in operations. Meanwhile, 54 families composed of 151 persons are staying in evacuation centers while seven families consisting of 15 persons are temporarily staying with their relatives in safer areas following the preemptive evacuation in selected villages in S ibalom on Sunday night. 'As of last night also, there are two barangays in Sibalom that have already implemented preemptive evacuation of families living along the riverbanks or flooded areas,' Train said. Amid the inclement weather, passenger vessels plying the ports of Culasi to Mararison Island and Libertad to Caluya continue to operate. 'Since there is no gale warning, the passenger sea vessels continue to ply in the ports,' Antique Coast Guard Station Commander Val Ernie Daitao said in a separate interview. However, small fishing boats are advised to temporarily take shelter. Source: Philippines News Agency
U.S. Embassy Honors Exchange Alumni at Vientiane Gala
Vientiane:More than 200 distinguished alumni of U.S. government exchange programs gathered in Vientiane for a Grand Alumni Gala in celebration of Freedom 250, marking 250 years of American independence. The event highlighted the contributions of Lao P…