LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – After the onslaught of Typhoon “Karen”, Gov. Amado “Pogi” I. Espino III has directed the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to remain on alert status as Typhoon “Lawin” enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (Oct. 19) and is expected to affect Pangasinan by Thursday morning (Oct. 20).
The Governor previously convened the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) members and allied agencies for a pre-disaster risk assessment and monitoring for Typhoon “Karen.”
Public advisory on October 15 was then issued which urged residents within landslide, flooding and storm surge danger zones to conduct a preemptive evacuation.
The governor subsequently issued another public advisory at past midnight of October 16 urging barangay and DRRMC officials to conduct forced evacuation to residents living in danger zones.
The PDRRMC in coordination with the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) likewise conducted distribution of 150 packs of relief goods to families who went to evacuation centers situated in Bani, Bolinao and Sual last October 16.
Medical check-up on more than 100 evacuees in the towns of Bolinao and Sual was conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO).
At 5 p.m. on October 16, Governor Espino declared the suspension of classes in all levels on October 17.
No casualty has been reported, as of writing, while power supply has been restored in 28 affected municipalities except for some barangays in Calasiao, Malasiqui, Sta. Maria, Anda, Agno, and San Nicolas.
Meanwhile, partial reports from the PDRRMC stated that an estimated total of over P41M worth of damages on infrastructure brought by Typhoon Karen have been recorded as of 11AM of October 17.
Of this amount, a total of more than P39M damages on the provincial roads were recorded while P2.2M damages on two provincial bridges were assessed specifically the Tomling Bridge along Nalsian-Umando road in Malasiqui and Binmeckeg bridge in Sison town.
According to Engr. Antonieta Delos Reyes, noted damages of the two bridges were eroded road shoulder on bridge approaches and damaged protection wall.
The provincial roads, on the other hand, suffered minimal damages such as scoured road shoulder, damaged asphalt pavement, developed potholes and eroded road shoulders, she added.
As such, there are a total of 34 partially-damaged houses specifically in barangays Angayan Norte, San Quintin, Rajal, San Aurelio III, and Mabini in Balungao town. Two houses from barangay Angayan Norte were totally damaged.
By Dexter A. See