Pampanga town under state of calamity due to flooding

Pampanga map

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — The town of Masantol in this province was placed under a state of calamity due to the widespread flooding that began when Severe Tropical Storm Florita struck Luzon last week, an official said Wednesday.

According to Angelina Blanco, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) officer, Mayor Jose Antonio Bustos placed Masantol town under a state of calamity because of the persistent flooding that continued to affect a large area of the municipality.

Afternoon classes were already suspended on Wednesday at all levels in public and public schools in the town.

At least 19 villages in Masantol remained submerged in floodwater that reached 2 to 4 feet high due to high tide and monsoon rains, according to the PDRRMC.

READ: 2 dead, hundreds flee as Florita lashes Luzon

Gov. Dennis Pineda issued two memoranda directing the mayors of 19 towns and two cities in the province to prepare personnel, equipment, facilities, food, and medical supplies in case Tropical Depression Gardo and Super Typhoon Hinnamnor – now locally named “Henry” – lashed the province.

Pineda also authorized officials to order preemptive or forced evacuation in villages where the risks of landslides, floods, and other dangers were high.