Pangasinan: A total of 91 families, comprising 268 individuals, have been evacuated from their homes as of 5 a.m. Tuesday due to severe flooding. The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported the evacuations. In a phone interview, PDRRMO assistant head Avenix Arenas stated that the evacuees are from the towns of Bugallon, Mangatarem, and Calasiao, and Dagupan City. The highest recorded water level was five feet at Barangay Talibaew in Calasiao town.
According to Philippines News Agency, heavy rainfall in upland areas has contributed to the swelling of river systems in the province. The PDRRMO's monitoring has revealed that Marusay River in Calasiao town and Sinucalan River in Sta. Barbara town are at critical levels. Additionally, the Balingcaguing River in Mabini town, Agno/Ba±aga River in Bugallon town, and Bued/Cayanga River in San Fabian town are above normal levels, while Pantal River in Dagupan City is under yellow alert, which may lead to slight flooding in low-lying areas.
Further exacerbating the situation, the overflow of the Camiling River in Tarlac province has caused flooding in some villages of Mangatarem town, as it is adjacent to the rivers in Mangatarem and Urbiztondo. The monsoon has so far affected a total of 28,016 families or 88,252 individuals in the province.
The PDRRMO's assessment recorded PHP12.2 million in partial or initial damage to agriculture, PHP1.4 million to livestock, and PHP288 million in partial or initial damage to infrastructure. Arenas noted that the province is currently under blue alert status. The Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office has prepared relief packs for affected families. Authorities are also investigating an alleged drowning incident in Sta. Barbara town.
Moreover, the PDRRMO has advised fisherfolk against sailing due to high sea waves, despite the absence of a gale warning. Classes at all levels in both public and private schools and work in government offices, except for those providing frontline services, have been suspended.
