LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC), on instruction of Governor Amado I. Espino III, deployed rescue teams in Mabini, Bugallon, and Labrador towns to respond to rescue operations.
At the wee hours of July 20, a rescue team was deployed in Mabini to rescue families along swelling Balincaguing river.
Disaster response teams were also sent Bugallon and Labrador towns to rescue affected residents in flooded areas.
Yesterday, July 19, PDRRMC disaster responders led a clearing operation in Macaycayawan village, Sual town where a landslide incident was reported.
Governor Espino advises Pangasinenses to take necessary precautionary measures in the next few days as the Southwest Monsoon or “Habagat” enchanced by Tropical Storm “Inday” continuously brings cloudy to light rains over the province.
Gov. Espino, PDRRMC chairperson, on July 19 encouraged mayors for the localized suspension of classes for today, July 20, for the safety of schoolchildren and students in view of the weather condition of the province.
Suspension of classes was left to the discretion of the chairperson of a Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (LDRRMC) who is the Mayor, as well as the school administrators, if they see the need.
“This weather system will endanger our communities from flooding, flashfloods, and landslides. Moreover, rivers, tributaries, and other bodies of water also pose serious risks to the population,” Gov. Espino said.
Tropical storm “Inday” is slowly veering Northeast of the Philippines.
The PDRRMC is continuously monitoring the weather condition, especially the rise of water level.
As of July 20, 10AM, several barangays in the following localities are flooded: Bani, Mangatarem, Alaminos City, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Malasiqui, Labrador, Mabini, Lingayen, Bugallon, Urdaneta City, Malasiqui, Agno, and Natividad.
On July 19, a PDRRMC rescue team responded to pre-emptive evacuation of flood-affected residents (19 families) in Bani (Banog Norte, Ambabaay, Poblacion). Twenty families in Alaminos City (Palamis and Pogo) also heeded the call for pre-emptive evacuation.
Evacuated residents in Bani and Alaminos City, however, have already went back to their houses earlier today.
Other towns with reported evacuees are Bugallon (53 individuals), Labrador (8 individuals), and Mabini (288 individuals).
Roads and bridges which are flooded include: sitio Putrido in Alaminos City; Garrita bridge in Bani; Macaboboni, sitio Abagatanen, Sabang-Abagatanen bridge in Agno; brgy. Alibago in Sta. Barbara; barangay Calzada and Caranglaan in Mabini; Dimmayat bridge, Casolming bridge, and Embarcadero bridge in Alaminos City; Lasip road in Calasiao; and Castillo road in barangay Oraan East, Manaoag.
Water level of the San Roque Dam is at 253.43 meters above sea level (masl), which is 26.57 lower of the 280masl spilling level.
By: Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca
