Sta. Barbara, 2 towns, 2 cities under water
14 DAYS OF MONSOON RAINS
LINGAYEN—The Sta. Barbara government began sandbagging operations last Friday to protect a dike in Barangay Maningding from being further scoured and washed out by rampaging waters of the Sinocalan River.
The move, being spearheaded by the Sta. Barbara Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC), sought to prevent flooding the whole town of Sta. Barbara and in adjacent Calasiao whose some villages are now under water.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRNC) said the towns of Sta. Barbara, Calasiao as well as Binalonan, and cities of Dagupan and Urdaneta were placed under watch as the water level of the Sinocalan River continued to rise owing to the unceasing monsoon rains.
PDRRMC Executive Officer Reuben Oro said other towns being closely monitored are Labrador, Sual and Bani in Western Pangasinan where their creeks were overflowing and the water could spill over to the national highways and block traffic flow.
But so far, no evacuation was taking place even if the level of water in rivers are now fast rising.
However, forced evacuation was already taking place in Bani as bared by Mayor Gwen Yamamoto herself using her Facebook account.
Avenix Arenas, PDRRMC spokesperson, said on Thursday that the monsoon rains started 13 days ago and still continued that brought floodwater to low-lying areas not only in Sta. Barbara and Calasiao but also in Dagupan.
In Dagupan, the police reported flooded areas as of 8:00 a.m. were found in Bonuan Blue Beach, Pantal, Careenan Street, Malued Fisheries area up to GMA 7 station, Mayombo, particularly East Central School, Caranglaan and Herrero-Perez, Malta and Dagupan City National High School.
However, all roads and bridges in Dagupan were still passable.
Due to rising floodwater, Mayor Belen Fernandez convened the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to a meeting and discussed possible rescue operations for affected residents.
In Western Pangasinan, Oro said waters from mountains were cascading into Labrador, Sual, and Bani towns.
In the face of rising floodwaters, Oro called on residents living near rivers to be alert. (Leonardo Micua)
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