As the wet season begins, residents of low-lying areas in Calasiao, Pangasinan are bracing for the possibility of floods, an experience that is no longer new to them.

In Sitio Subdivision, Barangay Lumbang, muddy roads have already appeared from early rains. Delia Aboy, a resident, said she expects water to rise to waist-deep by July.

“Mga July aasahan na namin ‘yung tubig hanggang bewang. Lahat ng mga gamit namin, inaakyat na namin,” she said.

Valentina La Forteza, another resident, said floods during typhoons can reach above head level. She and her family are preparing their boat just in case the river overflows.

“Wala kaming trabaho kapag bumabaha, andyan kaming lahat sa taas. Kawawa ang mga bata, wala rin kaming hanapbuhay,” she shared.

Aside from Barangay Lumbang, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) is also monitoring other flood-prone villages: Talibaoew, Lasip, Mancup, Longos, Buenlag, Songkoy, Banaoang, and San Vicente.

“These barangays have very low-lying areas, especially those near major river systems,” Kristine Joy Soriano, spokesperson of the Calasiao DRRM Office, said.

She added that the Marusay River is still below normal level for now, but coordination continues with barangay disaster teams.

“Ugaliin po natin na ihanda ang ating mga kabahayan at ating mga pamilya para na rin sa kaligtasan ng lahat sa pagpasok ng tag-ulan,” Soriano said.