P'sinan execs alerted on preemptive evacuation

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan, Philippines – Gov. Amado Espino Jr. yesterday called on all local government officials to activate their respective Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils and undertake preemptive evacuation if necessary due to the heavy rainfall and possible release of more water from the San Roque Dam that are expected to submerge low-lying areas in the central and eastern parts of the province.

In an advisory, Espino said, “Please alert all residents in the province of Pangasinan, especially those towns located along the Cayanga-Bued River, the Pantal-Sinocalan River, and the Agno River, and those villages lying in hilly areas susceptible to flashfloods, to take appropriate actions.”

“We are being warned to undertake all precautionary measures, and be ready with our municipal/city rescue and emergency response units, and to warn our residents to evacuate to safer grounds,” he added.

Espino made the move after Interior and Local Governments Secretary Jesse Robredo warned that more intense rains were expected last night and today in the provinces of La Union, Benguet and Pangasinan.

With this advisory, the Provincial Government of Pangasinan on instruction of Espino convened in an urgent meeting yesterday morning to heighten alert on disaster preparedness.

Provincial Administrator Rafael Baraan with the members of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) and its attached agencies discussed operational preparedness and response capabilities of the province for the impending disasters due to the heavy rainfalls and floods.

Baraan instructed the PDRRMC to alert LGUs with the help Philippine National Police  Units in the province to intensify disaster preparedness for quick response to affected areas.

“Instruct LGUs of low-lying municipalities and cities in central and eastern Pangasinan to make ready their rescue and relief capabilities for the residents in those areas,” Baraan said.

Baraan mentioned that another threat for towns and cities in eastern and central Pangasinan aside from the continuous heavy rainfalls brought by the monsoon, is the massive release of waters from San Power Corporation (SRPC) Dam that greatly affect low-lying towns in eastern Pangasinan prone to flooding like of San Fabian, Mangaldan, San Nicolas, Tayug, Sta. Maria and Rosales.

“SRPC has violated protocol in the release of waters from the dam and we will file a case against the corporation,” Baraan said

Baraan likewise mobilized the PDRRMC to be prepared in all angles, quickly response, disseminate information regarding impending disasters, reach out Pangasinan residents needing rescue and relief and be preventive on the occurrences that this hazard may bring.

Also on standby are Police stations as command posts and coordinating centers for PDRRMC and Municipal Disaster Risk Reducation Management Councils (MDRRMCs).

 sAll mountainous areas in the province most especially in towns of Bugallon and Labrador are vulnerable for fashfloods that’s why we have to alert the residents living in the area to prepare themselves or even evacuate in safer places,” Officer-in-Charge Provincial Police Director Mariano Luis Versoza noted.

As of presstime, the town of Calasiao is now partly submerged in rainwaters as nine barangays (Talibalew, Lasip, San Vicente, Banaoang, Mabini St. Poblacion East and West, Sitio Pandayan in Gabon and Quesban) were reportedly penetrated by flooding.   

Reports from LGU Calasiao noted that 55 families with 251 persons have been evacuated at Calasiao Aliguas Training Center in Poblacion West.

Rachel Sapigao, city information officer, of San Carlos this province said underwater rice area as of yesterday are alreday 51.25 hectares under tillering stage but with chance of recovery.