Dagupan Placed Under State of Calamity

Dagupan City — The city of Dagupan was placed under a state of calamity Wednesday following a citywide flooding caused by heavy rains spawned by the southwest monsoon since Friday.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved during a special session on Wednesday a resolution placing the city under a state of calamity upon the recommendation of the office of Mayor Belen T. Fernandez.

The special session was presided by councilor Luis Samson Jr.

Mayor Fernandez, upon consultation with the City Risk Reduction and Management Office, made the recommendation to ensure immediate relief of the flood victims, many of which were evacuated to the Dagupan City People’s Astrodome.

The flooding in Dagupan caused by the monsoon rains was aggravated by the daily rise of tidal water from adjacent rivers and the avalance of water coming from upland through the Sinocalan River of which Dagupan’s Pantal River is connected.

On motion of Councilor Guillermo P. Vallejos, jointly seconded by Councilors Jose Netu M. Tamayo, Alvin T. Coaquia, Dennis C. Canto, Nicanor D. Aquino, Marvin V. Fabia, and Marcelino DS Fernandez, the measure placing the city under the state of calamity was passed and approved.

As a result of heavy monsoon rains, many schools and barangays were under water, prompting Mayor Fernandez to suspend classes in all levels within the city for three days from August 15 to 17.

At least 67 families, composed of 264 individuals, have so far been evacuated and are now under the care of the City Social Welfare and Development Office and the City Health Office.

No casualties have been reported by the CDRRMO while rescue operations are still ongoing.

Up to press time, the roads in Barangays Malued and Pantal and Careenan street in Poblacion Oeste were declared impassable to all types of vehicle. (PNA) RMA/LVM/LVMICUA2000/RMA