WESTERN PANGASINAN TOWNS HIT HARD BY ‘EMONG’

THERE are now 22 cities and municipalities in Pangasinan declared under a state of calamity, according to an official list obtained by The PUNCH, which was validated by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) as of July 29, 2025.

Among the first ones listed were the cities of Dagupan, San Carlos, and Urdaneta; and the towns of Umingan,  Malasiqui, Calasiao, Sta.  Barbara, Lingayen, Mangaldan, Mangatarem, Binmaley, Basista, and Bayambang.

More recently added following the destruction left by Typhoon Emong (international name: Go-may) were Alaminos City, Dasol, Mabini, Agno, Anda, Bani, Bolinao, Burgos and Bugallon, all in Western Pangasinan

Emong, which blew in from the West Philippine Sea, made its first landfall in Agno town in the evening of July 24 and raced through most parts of western Pangasinan, before exiting in the Lingayen Gulf, then made a second landfall in La Union and southern Ilocos Sur, where trees, houses and buildings were toppled down.

Agno, Bani, Bolinao and Anda and their vicinities were placed under Typhoon Wind Signal  No. 4, the strongest so far recorded in western Pangasinan.

The central part of Pangasinan, including Dagupan, which were still experiencing widespread flooding because of days of monsoon rains triggered by Typhoon Crising (international name: WIpha), was spared from the wrath of Emong.

Mayor John Celeste of Agno reported that strong winds unleashed by Typhoon Emong uprooted century-old trees, blew down houses, and inflicted heavy damage on school buildings. The same havoc of destruction was seen in adjacent Burgos, Dasol, Mabini, Bolinao, Anda and Alaminos City.

Celeste appealed for additional help from the provincial and national governments for affected residents.

The Pangasinan Sangguniang Panlalawigan did not declare a province-wide state of calamity, citing that affected localities were less than half of the 48 towns and cities.

It was reported, however, that about one million of the province’s more than two million population were affected by the monsoon rains and a series of typhoons.

The only casualty reported was a man from Barangay Pantal, Dagupan City, who was electrocuted when he accidentally touched a live wire in his flooded community. (Leonardo Micua)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments