By Hilda Austria
MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – The Pangasinan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) recorded one drowning incident and one near-drowning incident during the Holy Week based on the reports of the local government units (LGUs).
Pangasinan PDRRMO emergency operations head Pia Flores said the drowning incident happened on April 3 at an irrigation in Natividad.
She said the victim was about 30 years old and a visitor but other information have yet to be confirmed.
The near-drowning incident occurred April 4 in Sual.
“The victim who’s around 40 years old was rescued and brought to the hospital,” she said.
Flores said while data from the LGUs are still being finalized, the number of Holy Week incidents this year declined compared to the same period last year.
She said there were five reported drowning incidents and three near-drowning incidents during the same period last year.
“The volume of beachgoers is the same as last year but the heavy traffic flow noticeably declined. But also over the years, I think the LGUs and barangay officials have learned to strengthen their monitoring based on previous years,” she said.
Flores added that bulk of the reported incidents are jellyfish sting specifically in Dagupan City, Binmaley and Estanza Beach Lingayen.
“Most of the victims were addressed at the medics post while some were brought to the hospitals,” she said.
The province remained under blue alert status until tomorrow, she added. (PNA)
