OVER 800 FAMILIES FLEE HOMES IN LA UNION

Severe Tropical Storm Kristine Fury

SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union

At least 844 families (2,437 individuals) from eight La Union towns Luna, Bangar, Balaoan, Rosario, Burgos, Aringay and Caba including the provincial capital San Fernando City fled to safety in 40 evacuation centers around the province, the provincial government said. This, as it set out intensified efforts to safeguard communities as tropical storm “Kristine” brought strong winds La Union since Wednesday. A total of 5,358 families (15,732 individuals) were
affected by the strong rains and subsequent flooding in 123 barangays, the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Office said.

Sto Tomas town suffered knee-deep flooding in the coastal barangays of Baybay, Raois, Cabaruan, Balaoac and
Narvacan, while 167 houses in the towns of Balaoan, Luna, San Juan, Bacnotan, Bauang, Agoo, Naguilian, Bangar and Rosario were reported damaged due to the strong winds and fallen trees. While search and rescue operations are still being undertaken for a fisherman from Brgy. Poro, City of San Fernando, La Union who had been missing since Tuesday morning. The 30-year-old man who went with a group of fishermen off the coast near Bolinao, Pangasinan around 3AM on October 22 has not returned home.

La Union Gov. Raphaelle Veronica Ortega-David postponed key events in La Union such as the La Union Surfing Break, to ensure safety of tourists and service providers. According to the provincial information office, the lady governor personally led the distribution of relief packs to affected residents in Luna, Bangar, and San Fernando City, “demonstrating the provincial government’s commitment to swift assistance for communities in need”. At least 668 food packs were also distributed in Aringay, Caba and some parts of San Fernando City.

The La Union provincial government already provided P239,960 worth of food packs and non-food items to the
evacuees. Gov. Ortega-David vowed, “during calamities, we work round the clock to ensure the safety of our affected
constituents. I personally visited our evacuees in their respective evacuation centers to check their situation and
conditions and to provide their needs. We have already extended relief packs to our evacuees.” La Union’s Social Welfare and Development Office and its General Services Office is leading relief operations since Thursday, distributing essential supplies to affected areas, the lady governor said.

While, the Provincial Health Office is also on the ground providing medical and health assistance to evacuees in designated shelters. Also, the Provincial Engineering Office is already on its toes in clearing road systems throughout the province.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN

Amianan Balita Ngayon