The Antique provincial government on Monday started distributing water tanks, jetmatic pumps, and hosepipes to aid barangays suffering from water scarcity.

The provincial government purchased 126 pieces of movable water tanks, 260 jetmatic pumps, and 586 hosepipes using the portion of the PHP10 million Quick Response Fund (QRF).

“There are barangay officials already who came to my office today (Monday) to inform me that they are already able to receive the water tanks, jetmatic pumps, and hosepipes as assistance,” said Vice Governor Edgar Denosta in an interview on Monday.

Denosta said barangays affected by the water shortage have to submit their request to the office of Governor Rhodora J. Cadiao, which handles the distribution.

“The distribution of the water tanks, jetmatic pumps, and hosepipes to the barangays would be on a need basis,” he said.

The water tanks and hosepipes will be used during the water rationing, while recipient families can use the jetmatic pumps for their deep wells when the rain comes.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist (OPA) data showed that as of April 29, the initial losses in crops from 15 towns of Antique amounted to PHP258.83 million, covering rice, corn, and high-value crops due to the drought. (PNA)