More than 5,000 families in 15 barangays in Sta. Barbara, Pangasinan have been affected by flooding brought by the southwest monsoon, or habagat, and recent cyclones, prompting the local government to declare a state of calamity.

Although the number of flooded barangays has fallen to 11, the affected families still account for about 15 percent of the town's total population.

Sta. Barbara Vice Mayor Bobby Barbiran said the declaration will allow the local government and barangays to access calamity funds and prepare relief goods.

“Ang lokal na pamahalaan ay kaagad na makakapag-withdraw na po sila ng kanilang calamity fund. Mga barangay kung kaya’t sa kasalukuyan ang bawat barangay ng aming bayan ay kanya-kanyang paghahanda na ng mga relief goods na ipamigay sa kanilang nasasakupan,” Barbiran said.

Flooding remains severe in Barangay Sonquil, where 1,616 families have been affected and need assistance.

Nancy Reyes, a resident, said floodwater rose above head level inside their home, forcing her family to make a raft to move around.

“Ang hirap namin dito kasi sobrang lalim, lagpas-tao. Sana naman may maawa sa amin kasi ang hirap. Ang gusto lang namin dito ‘yung magbibigay ng kahit konting pagkain namin, bigas, ‘yun ang importante sa amin,” Reyes said.

Meanwhile, the water level of the Sinocalan River continued to fall. As of 1:30 p.m., the river stood at 6.10 meters above sea level, but remained above its normal level.

The Sta. Barbara MDRRMO expects flooding to continue to recede as the river level drops.

“Sa Sinocalan natin, dati ang pinakamalalim na inabot ng Sinocalan natin, 7.70 MASL. So, malaki na po ang ibinaba ng tubig dito sa Sinocalan natin,” Sta. Barbara DRRM Officer Raymundo Santos said.