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DAGUPAN CITY –The city of Dagupan suffered some P101 million damages when Typhoon "Lando" rampaged across Pangasinan from October 18 to 20 this year.
The damages include P63, 441, 783. 75 million infrastructure projects such as government facilities, roads that were scoured and developed pot holes, public school buildings and at least P38 million in agriculture and fisheries.
There were more than 35,000 families affected in all the 31 barangays of the city.
These damages compelled Mayor Belen T. Fernandez to recommend to the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) to place Dagupan under the state of calamity, contained in a resolution approved by the latter last Oct. 20 during its regular session.
Of the 31 barangays, 24 were flooded, according to the report of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).
Meanwhile, 350 houses were totally damaged with 2,268 houses partially. More than 600 families comprising 2,366 individuals were evacuated from 20 barangays, while 19,314 families were considered severely affected.
“It is good to note that we have no casualty recorded during the typhoon which is a manifestation that we became more aware and resilient during calamities,” Fernandez said.
The damages to fisheries totaling P28,363,515 affected 515 fisherfolks while 191 farmers lost their crops such as palay and vegetables, all amounting to P9,965,750 million.
The 24 barangays under water were Bacayao Norte, Bacayao Sur, Barangay 1, Barangay II and III, Barangay IV, Bolosan, Bonuan Binloc, Bonuan Gueset, Calmay, Caranglaan, Herrero-Perez, Lasip Chico, Lasip Grande, Lucao, Malued, Mangin, Mayombo, Pantal, Poblacion Oeste, Pogo Chico, Pogo Grande, Salisay, Tapuac and Tebeng.
The deepest flood recorded was up to waist line in Bonuan Tondaligan at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) area along with Barangays Malued (Fisheries), Lasip Grande, Pogo Chico, Lasip Chico, and Pogo Grande.
Barangays located downstream of the Sinocalan River experienced flooding when the river swelled up to 7.79 meters.
Mayor Fernandez placed the city in full alert as early as October 16 by convening the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, where he activated the six Cluster Command Posts and deployed the city’s Quick Response Team volunteers in all the 31 barangays tasked to advise and alert the people in the barangays.
Preemptive evacuation were effected and emergency personnel from various City Hall departments, PNP Dagupan and other CDRRMC agencies were deployed in strategic areas, providing equipment and other resources needed for the next four days.
Classes were suspended in all levels for a week to allow children to stay indoors with their families as flood waters from the uplands and other nearby places cascaded to the city.
The city was in darkness for only less than 24 hours, but it took Decorp days to energize Calmay, Carael, Salapingao, Pugaro and Lomboy after ‘Lando’ knocked down nearly 30 concrete poles along the De Venecia Highway hosting the electric company's major power lines.
Reports from DepEd Division Office revealed that at least 12 public elementary and secondary schools suffered minor damages. The Bonuan Boquig Elementary School lost three classrooms which are now beyond repair after being damaged by a fallen tree.
Mayor Fernandez together with the emergency personnel from CDRRMC, City Engineering Office and Decorp conducted clearing operations along the downtown area round-the-clock during and after the onslaught of ‘Lando’ to ensure the safety and protection of the public from dangling billboards and electric wires, leaning electronic posts and fallen trees.
These were undertaken to also ensure that all our roads are passable to all types of vehicles and to be safe for all pedestrians.
“Thank you Decorp manager Jojo Liwag and Engr Augusto Sarmiento for responding promptly to all reports received from residents of Dagupan,” Fernandez said.
Fernandez, along with Congresswoman Manay Gina De Venecia who was represented by her staff, distributed relief goods, first to the most affected barangays of Mayombo, Lasip Chico, Pogo Chico, Pogo Grande, Bacayao Norte, Bacayao Sur, Herrero-Perez, Lasip Grande, Mamalingling, Calmay, Carael, Malued, Lomboy, and Salapingao.
“Other barangays will also receive relief goods from the Department of Social Welfare and Development as we continue visiting other barangays,” assured Mayor Fernandez.
Fernandez also thanked the men and women of the city’s Quick Response Team composed of the City Engineering Office, City Health Office, PNP, City Social Welfare and Development, Philippine Navy, CDRRMO for helping the city in the relief operations. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO/Oct. 27, 2015)
