By LIEZLE BASA IÑIGO
CALASIAO, Pangasinan — Rescue workers rushed to evacuate stranded residents in Barangays Lasip, Mancup, and Malabago on Wednesday, July 23, as chest-deep floodwaters engulfed homes and streets.
Personnel from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Philippine National Police led the operations, responding to desperate calls from families caught off guard by the sudden rise in water levels.
“Di namin sukat akalain ganito. Sa buong buhay namin na 30 years, walang ganitong lalim ng baha,” said Mario, a long-time resident, expressing disbelief at the depth of the flooding.
Mario noted that drainage improvement projects were implemented in 2012 and 2023 by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), elevating the roads to protect the area from flooding. But despite these changes, the heavy southwest monsoon (habagat) continues to submerge homes and roads.
Residents said this is the first time in their lives that water levels have reached such depths. What was once knee-high is now chest-deep, with little warning.
Meanwhile, in Dagupan City, several roads have been declared impassable to light vehicles, including Mayombo–Caranglaan Road; A.B. Fernandez Avenue to Burgos Street / Burgos; Extension; Zamora Extension; Calmay–Carael Road; Perez Boulevard (near University of Luzon); and Old De Venecia Road (from Uni Oil to PhilHealth)
