Floodwaters in parts of Pangasinan have begun to recede, but hundreds of families remain in evacuation centers as authorities continue response operations.

The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) said only Dagupan City, Calasiao, and Sta. Barbara were still experiencing flooding on Sunday, September 29, due to the combined effects of the southwest monsoon and recent storms.

Water levels in major rivers have dropped, with the Marusay River in Calasiao now below the above-normal mark, while the Sinocalan, Balingcaguing, Bañaga, Bued, and Pantal Rivers have also receded to safe levels.

Despite the improvement, 265 families or 920 individuals remain in evacuation centers in Dagupan and Calasiao.

A total of 19 barangays in Calasiao are still affected by floods, although waters are subsiding.

Evacuees previously housed at the Calasiao Sports Complex were moved to the regional evacuation center over the weekend, where a mini-concert was organized to lift their spirits.

“Yung kanilang displacement hindi lang kasi isang beses eh. Alam mo naman tayong mga Pilipino, importanteng magkaroon ng social interaction,” Anniely Ferrer, Assistant Director of DSWD Region 1, said.

“Nagbibigay ng saya sa kanila na puwedeng makatulong para sila’y maging resilient,” she added.

Ferrer assured that the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) continues to follow proper evacuation strategies and address the needs of affected families.

“Unang-una safe at may proteksyon ang mga nakatira. At kung ano ang puwedeng maibigay na tulong ang DSWD sa mga affected families,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has inspected a damaged dike in Calasiao following reports from the local government. Mayor Patrick Caramat explained that the structure had weakened over time.

“It’s more of structural integrity kasi matagal na rin po eh. Kasi yung dike system na ginamit ay gabion style, habang tumatagal, nasisira rin po. So, dahil sa ragasa ng tubig, nasira po yung dike,” Caramat said.

The Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) is still assessing the total damage, but initial reports place agricultural losses at more than P607,000.