Thousands remain in evacuation centers across Pangasinan as floodwaters continue to rise, with children falling ill and cases of foot infections also increasing due to prolonged exposure to dirty floodwaters.

As of 5 a.m. on July 24, 2005, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) reported that 1,421 families, or 5,172 individuals, have taken shelter in various evacuation centers across the province.

In Barangay Malued, Dagupan City, 103 families or 329 individuals are staying at a covered court, where many are sleeping on the stage or directly on the floor with little protection from the cold and damp conditions.

CHILDREN GETTING SICK

Some children have already started experiencing respiratory illnesses.

“Nagkakahawaan na yung mga bata ng ubo’t sipon po… paggising niya po, inuubo siya. Nahihirapan siyang umubo,” Jovy Aquino said, referring to her seven-year-old child.

Juliet Velasco, another evacuee, said 17 of her grandchildren were rescued from Calle Dos, where floodwaters had reached chest level.

“Pagdating namin, magti-three-days na kami dito,” she said.

Barangay health worker Rose Ann Beltran said they conduct daily rounds to monitor symptoms.

“Chini-check vital signs kung may lagnat, kung ano ang complaint nila, ubo’t sipon,” she said.

Beltran added that children are particularly vulnerable when their clothes remain wet for extended periods.

FOOT INFECTIONS

While the City Health Office has sufficient medicine for evacuees, health officials have also raised concern over the spike in athlete’s foot and similar infections caused by frequent contact with contaminated floodwaters.

In Barangay Tapuac, Jose de Vera, 64, developed painful skin infections on his feet after wading through ankle-deep floodwaters repeatedly.

“Nabababad nga, gawa ng baha na ito... Masakit, oo. Mahapdi na, makati,” he said.

Meanwhile, some residents are managing to stay healthy through proper hygiene.

Guillermo de Guzman, 47, from Barangay Malued, says he’s managed to avoid infection by keeping his feet clean.

“Maghugas ng paa, sabunin mabuti. Pag tuyo na, alkohol para sigurado,” he said.

Dagupan health officials confirmed that fungal infections like athlete’s foot tend to spread faster during the rainy season.

“Puwedeng mag-lead ng infection sa paa. Pag nagkaroon ng fever, magpakonsulta na sa doktor,” Janice Fernandez, a nurse at the Dagupan City Health Office, said.

With Typhoon #EmongPH approaching, authorities have started enforcing forced evacuations in severely flooded areas.

Filipina Delos Santos, barangay chairperson of Malued in Dagupan City, said they are moving people to safety to avoid casualties.

“Mas lalo pang lalakas ang hangin kaya kailangan natin ilikas ang mga tao. Ayaw nating magkaroon ng casualty kaya ilabas natin ang dapat ilabas,” Delos Santos said.

Due to rising waters at the evacuation site itself, some evacuees have been transferred to the second floor of the evacuation center.

Rescue operations are ongoing, with some residents using boats just to buy food and supplies.