Lingayen placed under state of calamity

MANILA, Philippines — The capital of Pangasinan was placed under a state of calamity yesterday as the enhanced southwest monsoon and tropical cyclones Luis, Maymay and Neneng caused widespread flooding and damage to the province.

Headed by Vice Gov. Mark Ronald Lambino, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) approved Provincial Resolution 985-2026 during a special online session declaring Lingayen under a state of calamity.

The resolution said the weather disturbances “brought torrential rains and widespread flooding in low-lying areas of Pangasinan, resulting in severe flooding and widespread impacts on communities, infrastructure, agriculture, private properties and livelihoods.”

More than 1.2 million people have been affected, according to reports from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Eight local government units have also declared their own states of calamity, with the number of affected families and damage expected to rise as assessment and response operations continue.

As of Aug. 30, the monsoon and the three cyclones had caused P232.5 million in infrastructure damage, more than P649 million in agricultural damage and more than P2.1 million in livestock damage.

According to the SP, the declaration will allow the automatic price freeze on basic necessities and prime commodities under Republic Act 7581, or the Price Act, to prevent overpricing, hoarding and profiteering during the emergency period.

Aside from Lingayen, other provinces nearby also sustained significant damage due to recent weather disturbances.

At least 10 houses were damaged after a strong whirlwind tore through two villages in Burgos, Ilocos Sur on Sunday evening amid heavy rains brought by the southwest monsoon.

Ilocos Sur Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Rhon Arquelada said the incident occurred around 6 p.m. in Barangays Manaboc and Bangbangar. Several roofs and garages were damaged while trees were uprooted by strong winds.

No injuries were reported as police and disaster response teams immediately rushed to the affected areas after barangay officials alerted authorities through handheld radios.

Pampanga Gov. Lilia Pineda, meanwhile, appealed yesterday to the private sector to help in implementing projects that could address widespread flooding in their province.

“We need the participation of the private sector because the DPWH already has a lot on its plate,” she said in an interview with “Storycon” on One News.

“This is the first time that even towns that previously did not experience flooding have been submerged. The volume of water was different this time… We did not expect it. Before, we could still cope…but this time, it has really been difficult,” she added. — With Mark Ernest Villeza, Rainier Allan Ronda, Artemio Dumlao, Bella Cariaso