DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) of Pangasinan has raised the province’s alert status to Red Alert, assuring the public of its preparedness as Tropical Storm Kristine approaches.
The Red Alert status in the province was activated at 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 22 and all municipal and city DRRM councils are enjoined to intensify their monitoring and preparedness measures, ensuring that all resources and response teams are on standby for any emergency situations that may arise.
The Red Alert status is declared when there is an imminent emergency situation that requires the highest level of monitoring, coordination, reporting, and response.
Rhodyn Luchinvar Oro, PDRRM Officer of Pangasinan, stated that the provincial disaster council convened for a pre-disaster risk assessment (PDRA) on the same day to implement necessary preparedness and response activities, which include readying rescue equipment and relief goods.
Avenix Arenas, assistant department head of the Pangasinan PDRRMO and director of Pangasinan Safety and Emergency Response (PASER), told the Philippine Information Agency-Pangasinan that their office will continuously coordinate with its counterparts to intensify preparedness measures.
As of Oct. 22, the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) has prepositioned 13,319 family food packs (FFPs), 5,512 non-food items, and 1,334 hygiene kits for families that will be affected by the impacts of the weather disturbance.
Meanwhile, the National Power Corporation-San Roque Dam Office advised all local DRRM offices in the province to remain alert and take necessary preparatory measures due to the possibility of spilling operations, which may be conducted if significant rainfall affects the basin due to TS Kristine.
As of 8:00 p.m. on October 22, the current level of the San Roque Dam is at 275.76 meters above sea level (masl), just 4.24 masl below the 280-meter normal high water level.
The state weather bureau PAGASA forecasted that from Thursday afternoon to Friday afternoon (October 25), accumulated rainfall in the Ilocos region will be heavy to intense, ranging from 100 to 200 mm.
PAGASA also warned that under these conditions, flooding and rain-induced landslides are likely, especially in areas identified as highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards in hazard maps, and in locations with significant antecedent rainfall.
Through Executive Order No. 0124, Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III declared the suspension of classes at all levels in both public and private schools across the province due to inclement weather caused by TS Kristine on Oct. 23.
Pangasinan is currently under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 2, as of Oct. 23. (MJTAB/EMSA/PIA Pangasinan)
