More than 1,600 families are still staying in evacuation centers across Pangasinan as floodwaters in some areas have yet to fully subside, officials said.

According to the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), a total of 1,644 families, or 5,792 individuals, remain in evacuation centers as of July 31, 2025.

This figure does not include residents who are taking shelter in other areas outside official evacuation sites.

In Barangay Malued, Dagupan City, 149 families or 470 individuals are still seeking shelter in their local evacuation center. Some of them have been there for as long as two weeks.

Marjun Compra, one of the evacuees, said floodwaters in his home have started to go down.

“Puwede na po. Matubig pero puwede nang matulugan,” he said.

Mario Flores, a 68-year-old evacuee, also said the water level has dropped.

“Pag di umulan, puwede nang umuwi. Pag umulan, hindi pa,” he said.

PDRRMO said the decision to allow evacuees to return to their homes depends on the assessment of their local officials.

“Kung sa palagay ng kinauukulan ay puwede nang umuwi ang mga evacuee, pinapayagan na sila. Pero kapag hindi pa puwede, hindi pa rin safe, mag-stay sila sa evacuation center,” Avenix Arenas, Pangasinan Assistant DRRM Officer, said.

Officials in Barangay Malued continue to monitor flood-hit areas. Chairperson Filipina Delos Santos assured evacuees of their continued support.

“Hangga’t nandito sila, hindi tayo titigil. Aalagaan pa rin natin sila. Kung ano ang kailangan nila, nadyan pa rin tayo,” she said.