DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) — The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported zero casualties in Pangasinan following the onslaught of Super Typhoon (STY) Pepito (international name: Man-Yi) over the weekend.
Avenix Arenas, assistant department head of Pangasinan PDRRMO, said that the swift implementation of preemptive evacuation measures significantly contributed to ensuring the safety of residents in high-risk areas.
“We conducted preemptive evacuation for residents from the coastal areas, the eastern part of the province under Signal No. 4, as well as flood-prone areas along the Sinocalan River in Sta. Barbara, Calasiao, Dagupan City, and other areas,” she said during the Pantongtongan Tayo virtual presser of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) – Pangasinan.
“Many listened to and followed the preemptive evacuation during STY Pepito. We have not received any reports of injured, missing, or dead,” she added.
Arenas credited the zero-casualty report, despite the strength of STY Pepito, to the local government official’s efforts in conducting preemptive evacuations before the weather worsened, as well as the cooperation of the residents.
According to the 5:00 p.m. situation report from the PDRRMO on Nov. 19, seven barangays remain flooded.
These are barangays Lumbang, Banaoang, Buenlag, Lasip, Mancup, and Talibaew in Calasiao, and Brgy. Sonquil in Sta. Barbara.
Kristine Joy Soriano, the local disaster risk reduction and management officer of Calasiao, clarified that the flooding in the area was not caused by the Marusay River’s water level, which rose to 7.4 feet above normal as of 11:00 a.m. on November 20.
She said that the flooding was instead a result of the heavy rain brought by STY Pepito.
The Sinucalan River was reported to be 5.3 meters above sea level (masl) below its normal level.
Meanwhile, 86 houses were partially damaged, and two were completely destroyed in the towns of San Fabian and Laoac due to strong winds.
Additionally, eight landslide incidents were reported in various areas of Brgy. Malico in San Nicolas.
One lane is now passable to light vehicles following road-clearing operations.
With these reports, Arenas stated that the government is doing its best to address the damages and ensure the welfare of affected residents through ongoing evacuation efforts, relief distribution, and road-clearing operations.
“The provincial government is always prepared. They conducted a pre-disaster response assessment to determine the possible impacts of the disaster and identify the necessary preparations to ensure safety – whether it be of lives or properties,” Arenas said. (AMB/JCDR/KLTD/PIA Pangasinan)
