MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The local government units (LGUs) of Pangasinan and La Union suspended classes on Tuesday due to the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm Florita.
In a phone interview, Ron Castillo, Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office emergency operations center director, said they are on red alert status since Monday.
“Our equipment and personnel have been on standby since yesterday awaiting deployment if needed,” he said.
As of Tuesday morning, Castillo said there were no reported landslides or flash floods as well as evacuation operations in the LGUs.
“Some areas in Dagupan City and some barangays in Calasiao town were already flooded,” he said.
Castillo said the river systems in the province are still at normal level. However, a gale warning was issued to prevent fishermen from sailing amid the severe tropical storm.
He added Florita is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds Tuesday afternoon.
La Union PDRRMO warning and communications staff Pau Navarro, in a phone interview, said LGUs in the province have canceled their classes, while San Fernando City suspended classes and work in government offices, except for those involved in disaster and health services.
“There are no evacuees or flooded areas yet in the province,” she said.
The La Union PDRRMO is also under red alert status.
Meanwhile, the completion of two flood control structures along Amburayan River in Bangar, La Union is timely for calamities, such as the severe tropical storm.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Department of Public Works and Highways Ilocos regional office information officer Esperanza Tinaza said the constructed high concrete dike and revetment along the riverbank of Barangay Mindoro measures 409 meters long and five meters high.
The PHP49-million project was funded from the General Appropriations Act (GAA) of 2022. Its construction started in Feb. 11 this year and was finished last April 28, she said.
A 403-linear meter concrete dike was also constructed in Barangays Consuegra and Alzate for PHP49 million, from Feb. 28 to April 28 this year.
“It will prevent erosion of riverbank(s) and water overflow. These were built to suppress the high water level of Amburayan River, protecting the residents and properties near the river,” she said. (PNA)