STATE OF CALAMITY. The city government of Dagupan declares a state of calamity on Friday (July 28, 2023) due to the impacts of Typhoon Egay. The city is experiencing flooding while some houses have been damaged. (Photo courtesy of Mayor Belen Fernandez Facebook page)
DAGUPAN CITY– The city government of Dagupan declared a state of calamity on Friday due to the severe flooding and adverse impact of Typhoon Egay.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (city council) members approved the resolution upon the recommendation of Mayor Belen Fernandez.
In his report, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) head Ronald De Guzman said all the city’s 31 barangays are experiencing flooding.
He said this is the aftermath of the rainwater brought by Typhoon Egay and the rise of the water at the Sinucalan River in Sta. Barbara town which is now at 7.60 meters above sea level (masl), way above the critical level of 7 masl as of 8 a.m.
High flood levels are at the low-lying villages of Bacayao Norte, Bacayao Sur, Calmay, Carael, Caranglaan, Herrero-Perez, Lasip Chico, Lasip Grande, Lucao, Malued, Pogo Grande, Pogo Chico, Poblacion Oeste, Pantal, Salapingao, Bolosan, Bonuan Binloc, Bonuan Gueset, Mamalingling, Tambac, Salisay, and the barangays at the central business district.
“The increase in water level of the Sinucalan River is now at seven meters and could delay floodwaters to subside. The forecast (of the weather bureau) is that rainy days would extend due to the southwest monsoon. There is still the possibility of Tropical Storm Falcon to enter the country that could cause continuous rain), " De Guzman said.
Fernandez posted on her social media account that based on their data as of Thursday, many houses of the residents located in the low-lying areas of Dagupan City were greatly damaged.
"A strong gustiness spawned a tornado on July 26 which wreaked havoc and rendered 191 houses partially damaged and 21 houses totally damaged even as we continue to collate damage assessment reports for local businesses, agriculture and public infrastructure," she said.
Likewise, per report of the weather bureau regarding rainfall intensity accumulation is 86.4 millimeters (mm) considered to be torrential, bringing more heavy rains within the locality and great flooding in the city, affecting about 50 percent of the city population and business sector which need emergency assistance, she added.
"For the meantime, please keep safe, my dear Dagupeños. Rest assured that we are doing everything to keep you safe and help the city recover from this calamity," Fernandez said.
Dagupan City is a low-lying locality that becomes a catch basin of flood water from neighboring towns that eventually exits at the Lingayen Gulf.
The City Social Welfare Office reported that they initially received from the Department of Social Welfare and Development some 5,000 food packs that they have requested as augmentation.
The evacuation centers were already activated as residents from submerged areas are expected to evacuate the moment flood water rises more.
"Sana po (hopefully), equitably, we have to distribute every food pack, every medicine, lahat ng kailangan ng (all the needs of the) Dagupeno," Councilor Celia Lim said during the session.
"As representatives of the people, it is our responsibility also to ensure that the funds allocated for addressing this calamity are used efficiently and transparently," said Majority Floor Leader Councilor Dada Reyna-Macalanda.
They asked the department heads to submit to the city council their respective reports as to how funds were used.
Meanwhile, City Legal Office Aurora Valle that the declaration of the city under a state of calamity would enable the city government to use the city's quick response fund allocated for 2022 amounting to PHP20.7 million under the re-enacted budget trust fund.
As for the possible assistance for the affected fishermen and farmers, Valle said there is a PHP1.5 million fund for immediate rehabilitation assistance for economic sectors.
The state of calamity declaration will also enable the barangays to use their respective calamity funds. (PNA)
