Calasiao, Pangasinan placed under state of calamity

Calasiao town in Pangasinan has been placed under a state of calamity, in the wake of floods brought by a continuous monsoon rain in the last few weeks.

Officials of the town hope to use the five-percent calamity fund to help those affected, GMA Dagupan's Jette Arcellana reported Tuesday.

The town was placed under a state of calamity on Monday. Earlier, the town of Bani was also placed under a state of calamity following days of heavy rain.

But the funds may not be enough for some barangays.

In Barangay Talibaew in Calasiao, the calamity fund of P100,000 may prove insufficient. With relief packs costing about P100 each, there might not be enough to get relief packs for the 1,200 affected families.

Some residents said they have not even received any relief pack. "Kailangan din namin ng tulong," said Apolinario Idos.

For its part, the town government advised barangays to be judicious in using their calamity funds.

At least 18 barangays in the town are affected by floods. Some 79 families had been brought to evacuation centers. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News