SAN JOSE DE BUENAVISTA, June 9 -- The provincial government of Antique, through its disaster risk reduction and management office (PDRRMO), is on heightened alert following the magnitude 7.8 quake that struck several parts of Mindanao on Monday.

"Although Antique is not directly affected, we are on a heightened alert and closely monitoring the situation, knowing that earthquakes can happen anytime and anywhere," Local Risk Reduction and Management Officer III Michael Tolentino said in an interview on Tuesday.

The PDRRM Council, especially its Response Cluster, is on standby and ready for deployment in any eventuality.

The Binirayan Sports Complex in San Jose de Buenavista has been identified as an evacuation center for the province. ...