By Michelle Ducut
Preemptive actions and effective coordination between national and local government agencies were credited for Pangasinan recording zero casualties during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Pepito (international name Man-yi).
Vincent Chiu, operations and training head of the Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), emphasized that preemptive evacuations, informed by data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and other agencies, were instrumental in ensuring safety. Days before the typhoon’s arrival, information drives via in-person briefings and social media were intensified, enabling timely evacuations and disaster preparedness in hazard-prone areas.
The provincial government worked closely with agencies such as the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Office of Civil Defense, and operators of Ambuklao and Binga Dams. The use of localized weather monitoring equipment, such as rain gauges, further enhanced decision-making in vulnerable communities.
While Governor Ramon Guico III praised the cooperation of residents and the efforts of disaster response personnel, the typhoon left 18,514 families or 59,325 individuals affected. Reports detailed 247 houses damaged by strong winds and an initial PHP39 million in agricultural losses. A motorist in Tayug town sustained injuries after a tree branch fell on his vehicle.
Chiu reiterated the province’s ongoing commitment to improving disaster preparedness, including annual training sessions for residents in hazard-prone areas and plans to expand search-and-rescue training for non-government personnel. Despite the impact of Typhoon Pepito, proactive measures highlighted the province’s capability to mitigate risks and protect lives.