TYPHOON Frank, expected to hit Dagupan City and other populated areas of central Pangasinan as of 8 pm. Sunday, did a sudden shift in direction towards Dasol in western Pangasinan and instead blew hardly inland but along the coasts of western Pangasinan and out to the South China Sea thru Cape Bolinao by yesterday, Monday.

This bit of explanation from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Sciences Administration (Pag-asa) appeared to show why despite the agency’s own dire warnings about the typhoon heading toward the city’s and central Pangasinan’s earlier battered areas, not much wind struck Dagupan and immediate areas Sunday evening.

The rains it brought in fact benefited upland farmers or rainfed areas, providing them needed water for the crops, according to Provincial Agriculturist Dalisay A. Moya said. This, compared to the destruction wrought by killer typhoon Cosme to the province amounting to P2,601,720,810..00 in damages to crops. .

Before Frank’s arrival and with Pangasinan already placed under Public Storm Signal No. 3 by Sunday, Gov. Amado T. Espino, Jr. directed the activation of the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council immediately at 6 a.m.thru PDCC Executive Officer Paterno M. Orduña.

In Dagupan City, the City Disaster Coordinating Council was ordered activated likewise by Mayor Alipio Fernandez, Jr. with Vice Mayor Belen Fernandez taking charge of operations together with department heads

The PDCC Bulletin released yesterday reported heavy damage to schools in Anda, Dasol, Mabini and Bani in western Pangasinan.

Damage to schoolbuildings in the area was initially placed at P8,200,000, mostly of blown-off schoolbuilding roofs.

PDCC also reported some 25 families evacuated for their safety in Sual, mostly those living in coastal areas. .

As of 7 a.m. yesterday, Monday, water elevation at San Roque dam in San Manuel was at 244.32 meters above mean sea level, still 35.68 meters below the 280 meters spilling level mark.