On New Year’s Day, three individuals tragically lost their lives to drowning in the provinces of La Union and Pangasinan, overshadowing the holiday celebrations. In La Union, three people from Baguio City were pulled from the water at Aringay beach, but only two survived. The victims included a 14-year-old girl, a 20-year-old man, and a 74-year-old man, the latter of whom was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. In Pangasinan, a distressing incident unfolded at Lingayen beach where an 11-year-old boy and a 13-year-old girl were swept away by powerful waves. Their uncle managed to save the girl, but despite rescue efforts, the boy was brought to the hospital without a pulse and later passed away. Additionally, a 44-year-old man from Binmaley town drowned at Baybay Lopez beach and was declared dead on arrival at a nearby hospital. The Lingayen Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (LDRRMO) had enforced a no-swimming policy in certain beach areas due to hazardous conditions, following two other drowning incidents on New Year’s Eve. The LDRRMO remains on high alert, coordinating with other agencies to monitor the situation and urging beachgoers to heed safety warnings.
