Guv condemns ‘fake’ public advisory on suspension of classes

Lingayen – Governor Amado I. Espino, III has condemned the dastardly act of heartless people who faked his public advisory on the suspension of classes for August 17 that maligned the integrity of his office.

 

“The unscrupulous post by heartless individuals was meant to deceive the public by digitally manipulating my public advisory,” Gov. Espino stated in his official press statement. 

Gov. Espino issued at 5pm yesterday, August 16, a public advisory on the localized suspension of classes for August 17 as he called on Mayors and school administrators to suspend classes in their respective areas if necessary.

            Citing Malacanang Executive Order 66, Series of 2012, Gov. Espino issued the public advisory at 5pm yesterday based on the 24-hour public forecast of PAGASA that the southwest monsoon (Habagat) will still continue to dump light to moderate rainfall over Pangasinan.

            “I urge everyone to still take precautionary measures and stay safe especially those living in flash flood and landslide prone areas,” Gov. Espino said.

            The governor assured that investigation will be done to shed light on the manipulated public advisory.

Gov. Pogi has also called on for responsible use of social media to disseminate reliable information in challenging times that we need to be united in order to ensure the safety of everyone.

             The announcement of a fake public advisory on suspension of classes for August 17 was contained in the letter dated August 16 at 3pm.

           

            “This is a dastardly act utilizing social media as a platform to deceive the public especially when Pangasinenses are already experiencing the havoc of monsoon rains, flooding and flash floods in some parts of the province,” Gov. Espino said. 

The provincial chief executive likewise urged everyone to get reliable updates solely from the official Facebook page of the provincial government (facebook.com/pangasinan.gov.ph) and other legitimate broadcast media outlets from your Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office and barangay councils.

Based on assessment and monitoring, central portion of the province is most affected due to occasional heavy rains and flooding in some areas. Western and eastern parts of the province experience light to moderate rains.

The following Local Government Units (LGUs) declared suspension of classes in all levels today, August 17: Dagupan City, Lingayen, Mangaldan, Bugallon, Binmaley, San Fabian, Calasiao, Asingan, Sta. Barbara, San Nicolas, Aguilar, San Carlos City, Balungao, Mangatarem, Bayambang, Rosales, Urbiztondo, San Jacinto, Manaoag and Pozorrubio.

LGUs that declared suspension of classes from elementary to high school include: Tayug, Labrador, Malasiqui.

Classes in pre-school are suspended in Natividad and Villasis.

A report from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) at 9am (August 17) stated that about 11,799 families or 58,995 persons from several barangays of Sta. Barbara, Calasiao and Mangatarem are affected by habagat.

About 160 families or 677persons are evacuated in Calasiao, Bugallon, Lingayen and Mangatarem.

Latest update on the water level at San Roque dam is at 239.28 meters above sea level (masl) or 40.72masl way below the reservoir’s 280masl spilling level.