San Juan, La Union temporarily shuts down public beaches following drowning incidents

The local government of San Juan, La Union has ordered a temporary closure of its public beaches following the drowning incidents that happened on Tuesday, Dec. 26. 

According to Mayor Arturo Valdriz’s executive order released on Wednesday, Dec. 27, the closure is due to the current Northeast Monsoon/Amihan winds “which produces higher waves,” posing risks of drowning. 

This is also per the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration's (PAGASA) gale warning that was released on the same date, which noted “strong to gale-force winds, which are prevailing or expected to affect the seaboard of Northern Luzon.” 

“This extraordinary water condition in the municipal seawaters poses risk to our beachgoers, which could lead to drowning,” the order read. 

The following day, the local government released another advisory amending the executive order to allow the resumption of surfing activities only in the designated surfing area. 

“Surfing is permitted only in the designated area in front of Kahuna Resort and Spa,” the order read, effective Dec. 28. 

“All other provisions of Executive Order No. 23-2023 remain in effect, including the closure of beaches and suspension of water activities in areas other than the designated surfing zone,” it added. 

This comes after the drowning incidents that happened on Tuesday, Dec. 26 at Barangay Taboc, where a 12-year-old boy and his nine-year-old cousin, both from Kibungan, Benguet, were swept away by big waves. The former was declared dead on arrival at the Bacnotan District Hospital while his cousin is still being located.