Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim, Jr. declares the entire province of Pangasinan under a State of Calamity during a special session on August 9 due to vast damages caused by the incessant rains. Under Provincial Resolution No. 349-2012, authored by Board Member Von Mark Mendoza, the declaration was made following a report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council that a total of 14,057 families or 67,456 persons have been affected by the monsoon rains as of 5:00 p.m. of August 8. Torrential rains have been pounding the province for almost two weeks now, destroying infrastructure, agricultural and fishery products in numerous towns in the province. (PIO Photo by Ralph Conrad Soriano)
The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) has declared the province of Pangasinan under ‘State of Calamity’ through provincial resolution No. 349-2012 authored by SP member Von Mark R. Mendoza during a special session held August 9, 3 PM, here.
Vice Governor Jose Ferdinand Z. Calimlim Jr., SP Presiding Officer said that for humanitarian reasons and great concern for the people of Pangasinan, said resolution “Declaring a state of calamity in the province of Pangasinan due to vast damages caused by the incessant rains” was approved.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) Officer-in-Charge Fernando de Guzman reported that numerous towns and cities in the province have been gravely affected, infrastructures as well as agricultural and fishery products were damaged and destroyed resulting to estimated millions of pesos as partial damage cost.
Damages incurred by various municipalities and cities have been increasing due to continuous heavy rainfalls which cause rivers to spill out excess waters in low-lying areas in the province near river systems.
The board members present during the special session collectively called on the attention of PDRRMC to reach out affected areas within their respective districts that are not yet included in the calamity report given by De Guzman.
As De Guzman noted the suggestion given by the board members, he mentioned that PDRRMC follows a protocol in the rescue operations as command centers (police stations) relay updates from Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (BDRRMCs) and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (MDRRMCs) to the PDRRMC for immediate action.
“Rescue operations to residents in areas severely affected by flashfloods and other dangers are done upon request of an LGU; and upon knowing, PDRRMC – Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) team together with attached agencies like Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office (PSWDO) will quickly respond right after,” De Guzman disclosed.
Said resolution approved by the provincial board was empowered by Republic Act 7160, otherwise known as the Local Government Code of 1991.
As of August 9, 11 AM, PDRRMC has reported 21,466 families (111,155 persons) affected by the monsoon rains (habagat) in 13 towns (Dasol, Aguilar, Bugallon, Mangatarem, Bayambang, Calasiao, Sta. Barbara, Manaoag, San Jacinto, Bautista, Sison, Balungao and San Quintin) and cities of San Carlos and Dagupan.
VG Calimlim announced that SP will have session on August 13 (Monday) at the San Roque Power Corporation (SRPC) grounds along with multi-sectoral onsite inspection of the dam and further questioning on the protocol followed by the dam operators in the release of dam waters through public hearing. (PIO/Mark Gerry Naval Oblanca)
