Alaminos city: The city government here, along with government agencies and non-government organizations, is working on the communities’ rehabilitation from the effects of Typhoon Emong through various measures. City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management officer Mylene Manalastas, in an interview during a medical mission on Wednesday, expressed gratitude for the help and concern received.
According to Philippines News Agency, after the onslaught of Typhoon Emong, Alaminos City experienced city-wide power interruption and poor to no mobile signal due to toppled electric posts and uprooted trees that fell on electric and cable wires. The restoration efforts have reached around 60 to 70 percent, with the central business district fully restored, while interior barangays are still undergoing work. Companies are assisting the Pangasinan Electric Corporation (Panelco) to restore power in the remaining areas.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that 31,658 families have been affected, with 13,253 houses damaged. Of these, 1,541 were totally destroyed, and 9,553 were partially destroyed as of August 2. A report of the damages has been submitted to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, awaiting a response for assistance.
The damage assessment report highlights PHP15.2 million damage to rice, PHP4 million to vegetables and fruit-bearing trees, PHP13.5 million to salt farms, and PHP46.6 million to fisheries. Infrastructure damage across all barangays amounted to PHP26.2 million, with upland facilities suffering PHP43.3 million in damages, and the Hundred Islands National Park and Lucap wharf facilities incurring PHP14.7 million in damages. The city declared a state of calamity on July 27.
Emergency food assistance has been provided, and financial assistance is being prepared by the city government, although the final amount is yet to be determined. Barangays are also working to issue quick response funds for the second wave of relief distribution. Assistance for clearing operations came from various LGUs, NGOs, and civil society organizations, with volunteers playing a significant role in preparing relief goods. Organizations outside Pangasinan are coordinating with the City Social Welfare and Development Office to provide additional help.
Among the NGOs assisting is Americares Philippines, a health-focused non-profit humanitarian organization, which led a medical mission in Sta. Maria and Lucap villages on Tuesday and Wednesday. The mission aimed to cater to 150 to 200 patients daily, distributing hygiene kits, jerry cans, and liters of water. Americares also conducted hygiene promotion activities to prevent infections or diseases from contaminated water.
Paul Gwyn Pagaran, Americares Philippines country director, stated that their mission is to help communities access health during disasters and everyday life through various programs, including humanitarian aid, climate and disaster resilience, mental health support, medicine security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene initiatives. Medicines for a two-week to one-month supply are provided for free during their medical missions.
