DAGUPAN DECLARES STATE OF CALAMITY AS HEAVY RAINS FLOOD CITY

DAGUPAN CITY – The city has been placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday (August 17) in a resolution approved during a special session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) following the citywide flooding caused by the continuous heavy rains spawned by the southwest monsoon since August 12, which was aggravated by high tide phenomenon and the cascading water from the upstream of Pantal River.

Dagupan City Mayor Belen T. Fernandez checks the roads in the
City after downpour and surging water from the mountains
cascaded for egress in the city for several days already.

The SP, 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, approved  the measure placing the city under the state of calamity during the session presided  by Luis M. Samson Jr.

The measure declaring a state of calamity in the entire city was proposed by the office of Mayor Belen Fernandez upon consultation with the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) to provide immediate relief and assistance to the flood victims

As a result of heavy monsoon rains which flooded many schools and barangays, Mayor Fernandez suspended classes in all levels within the city for four days from August 15 to 18.

At least 67 families, composed of 264 individuals, have so far been evacuated to the Dagupan City People’s Astrodome where they 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. (Joseph C. Bacani/CIO/Aug. 17, 2016)