LINGAYEN–The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) opted not to declare Pangasinan under a state of calamity, citing the several towns that already went ahead in placing themselves under the calamity state through resolutions passed by their respective legislative bodies.

Sixth District Board Member Alfonso Bince Jr., chairman on the committee on laws, said it is better for affected towns and cities be given the discretion to declare it themselves under the state of calamity.

For his part, Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim, SP presiding officer, said the flood was not widespread anyway and that Pangasinan did not suffer widespread damage.

Towns in Pangasinan that earlier declared a state of calamity are Aguilar, Sta. Barbara, Calasiao, Bugallon and Mangatarem.

Dagupan, which is outside the administrative jurisdiction of the provincial government, also declared 19 of its 31 barangays under a state of calamity.

The other affected towns are: Binmaley, Lingayen, Malasiqui, Urdaneta City, Mangaldan, Mapandan, San Fabian, San Jacinto, Laoac, Manaoag, Sison and Pozurrubio

DAMAGES

Province-wide, the estimated cost of damage was P69.5-million in agriculture and about P24-million in infrastructure.

Severe flooding was reported in at least 216 barangays in 15 municipalities and two cities, affecting 46,439 families.

The Provincial Disaster Risk and Reduction Coordinating Council (PDRRMC) reported three casualties and two still missing.

The fatalities were identified as Eduardo Tanda, 59, of Barangay Quibaol and pregnant Cristina Diocares, 29, Barangay Namolan, both from Lingayen who died due to hypothermia and electrocution, respectively.

The latest casualty was identified as Salvador Sacopia, 25, of Barangay Pogon Aniat, Mangatarem, who drowned August 22 while he was trying to save his 15-year old sister Janice Sacopia, who is still missing as of presstime.

Also reported missing since August 19 is Eduardo Ragos, 50, of Barangay Tambong in Bayambang.

According to Avenix Arenas, PDRRMC spokesperson, the casualties’ family will receive P10,000 as financial assistance from the provincial government while injured persons will receive P5,000 each.

The Office of the Provincial Agriculturist said based on the pre-validation reports from the municipal and city agriculturists of the 18 affected towns placed the damages in palay commodity at more than P54-million.

In high value corn and crops, damages have already reached P2-million affecting 40.25 hectares while P13-million for the fishery with post-fingerlings as the most affected valued at P7-million.

Also, some P2-million worth of marketable bangus and tilapia valued at P800,000 have also been affected.

In infrastructure, estimated damages was at P24-million, the worst being a barangay bridge Dupo in Binmaley worth P10-million.

Meanwhile, the PAGASA Agno River Flood Forecasting and Warning Center has reported that flooding will remain in the low lying areas of Sta. Barbara, Calasiao, Binmaley, Binalonan, Malasiqui and cities of Dagupan and Urdaneta while flooding will still persist in the low lying-areas of Alcala, Buatista, Bayambang, San Carlos City, Urbiztondo, Mangatarem, Aguilar, Bugallon, Labrador and Lingayen.

As of 3:00 p.m. of August 23, the San Roque Multi-Purpose Corporation (SRMPC) reported that the San Roque Dam water level stood at 271.80 meters above sea level, still 8.20 meters below the 280-meter spilling level mark.—With report from PIO.

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