LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN (PIA) — Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III has declared the suspension of classes in all levels, both public and private, as well as work in government offices on Thursday, October 24 due to Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Kristine.
Guico signed on Wednesday the Executive Order No. 0125, series of 2024, following the latest advisory from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), which placed Pangasinan under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 3.
“PAGASA Weather Advisory No. 12 warns that Pangasinan will likely experience intense torrential rainfall exceeding 200 mm tomorrow, October 24,” Guico stated in the executive order.
PAGASA has warned that STS Kristine, currently located 175 kilometers east of Echague, Isabela, has maximum sustained winds of 95 km per hour, with gustiness of up to 115 km per hour.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) has assessed the potential risks and disruptions linked to the rainfall and strong winds.
Guico emphasized the importance of public safety, particularly for students and government workers, leading to the suspension.
He said preemptive measures are crucial in minimizing the risks brought about by the typhoon.
Guico called on all local DRRM councils to initiate preemptive evacuations in high-risk areas and to maintain active communication with local barangays and municipalities.
Meanwhile, government offices involved in disaster risk management, health services, peace and order, and infrastructure will continue operations to ensure essential services remain available to the public.
Private businesses and offices, however, will have discretion in deciding whether to suspend work on Oct. 24, based on the storm’s developments.
Guico urged all residents to remain vigilant, follow local advisories, and take precautionary measures as STS Kristine continues to approach the province.
As of 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 23, the Pangasinan PDRRMO reported that a total of 166 families, consisting of 578 individuals from towns of Anda, Bolinao and Alaminos City, were preemptively evacuated, while eight barangays in the province experienced power interruptions.
Likewise, San Roque Dam, which is at 275.62 meters above sea level (masl), opened one gate at 0.5 meters with an estimated discharge of 53 cubic meters per second.
For more updates on the situation, the public is encouraged to monitor official bulletins from Pangasinan PDRRMO’s official facebook page. (MJTAB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)
