LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) has set color-coded warning flags at beaches here and asked the other local government units to follow through.
The red flag means an area is under high hazard due to high waves and swimming is prohibited.
The yellow flag signifies medium hazard due to medium-high waves. While swimming is allowed, it should be done with precaution.
The purple flag signifies the presence of dangerous marine life in the area such as jellyfish, making swimming prohibited as well. Jellyfish sting and near-drowning incidents are prevalent during the holidays at the beach.
The green flag means low hazard as the waves in this area are calm.
In an interview on Friday, PDRRMO operations supervisor Patrick Aquino said the color-coded warning flags are to be used in all the coastal areas of Pangasinan.
“We are advising all coastal municipalities to put up beach warning flags so that the beachgoers would be able to identify where they are allowed to swim and where it is dangerous,” he said.
He added that beachgoers should also be mindful and follow the warning flags for their safety.
He also warned beachgoers against stealing the warning flags. “Some people take the flags during nighttime,” Aquino said.
Meanwhile, the PDRRMO is set to raise its status to red alert by next week for Holy Week.
“We are just waiting for the memorandum to be issued but we are definitely already prepared,” he said.
The PDRRMO has set up an incident command post, together with the five existing towers or lifeguard posts, while the Water Search and Rescue Team and personnel of the Provincial Health Office will be on standby with their ambulances. (PNA)
