3 Ifugao towns, Dagupan under state of calamity

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Three towns in Ifugao and Dagupan City in Pangasinan were placed under a state of calamity amid widespread flooding and landslides due to heavy rains in the past several days.

A state of calamity was declared in Lagawe on Friday, Asipulo on Wednesday and Lamut on Monday by their respective town councils.

A landslide occurred along the highway in Barangay Bolog, Kiangan, which covered the entire road, according to the Ifugao provincial disaster risk and management council.  

The Office of Civil Defense in the Cordilleras said it has monitored at least 17 landslides across the region. 

In Baguio City, Mayor Mauricio Domogan ordered the suspension of classes yesterday as the 24-hour rainfall was measured at 201.6 millimeters, the highest daily average in the city so far this year.  

The Dagupan City council approved in a special session yesterday a resolution declaring a state of calamity after many barangays were submerged in floodwater. 

In a letter to the Sangguniang Panglungsod, Mayor Belen Fernandez sought the  approval of the resolution, citing a dike breach in Sinocalan river in Sta. Barbara town, which inundated nearby low-lying areas, including Dagupan.

Flooding was also reported in Sta. Maria, Rosales, Villasis, Sto. Tomas, Alcala, Bautista, Bayambang, Urbiztondo, Mangatarem, Aguilar, Lingayen, Bugallon, Binalonan, Manaoag, Urdaneta, Sta. Barbara, Calasiao and Binmaley.

 The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) suspended its passport processing service in Calasiao yesterday due to flooding in the area.

In an advisory, the DFA said those with confirmed passport appointments would be accommodated until the end of the month. – With Janvic Mateo