Antique is ready to secure prepositioned goods in time for the El Niño phenomenon through its PHP1.9-million warehouse in Barangay Badiang, San Jose de Buenavista.

The new warehouse, built using the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Fund, was inaugurated on Wednesday and graced by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Western Visayas Director Joselito Estember.

Estember said they would be able to preposition family food packs and other relief goods for Antiqueños because of the partnership between DSWD and the Antique provincial government.

“The DSWD is more than willing to preposition 10,000 family food packs in the warehouse to ensure that we can extend assistance fast to the people,” he said.

He added DSWD Secretary Rex Gatchalian has instructed that they should be ready to extend assistance to those affected by the El Niño phenomenon. This is through the prepositioning of family food packs and maternity kits at the warehouse that will ensure their speedy distribution.

Antique provincial administrator Robin Rubinos, who represented Governor Paolo Everardo Javier during the inauguration, said the warehouse is an expression of the governor’s desire to serve the people, especially in times of disaster.

“The warehouse has been put up so that the provincial government could provide speedy and effective relief to the people,” he said. (PNA)