Along the Tomiangan section of the Bontoc-Tabuk Road in Tabuk City, Kalinga on October 24, you can see signs of landslide on this mountain.
But a few moments later, it completely collapsed due to continuous rains brought by Typhoon Kristine.
According to Raul Alberto, Assistant Chief at Tabuk CDRRMO, “That area is landslide-prone, so the retaining wall was tall. But the slide came from the top, so the retaining wall couldn’t withstand it.”
Authorities immediately conducted clearing operations, and the road is now open to traffic.
Rice fields in the city were severely damaged by heavy rains and winds.
These banana plants didn’t stand a chance against the storm’s winds.
In Barangay Tuga, several houses were destroyed after trees fell.
The water level of the Chico River continues to be monitored as runoff flows down from the Mt. Province mountains.
“We monitor it every hour and have recorded that the water level is decreasing,” Alberto mentioned.
A total of 325 families have been evacuated in the city.
Soldiers assisted in Barangay Mabaca in Balbalan on October 24 by removing landslide debris.
This was necessary as there was a patient who needed to be taken to the hospital.
In Mountain Province, members of the MDRRMO of Bontoc and Sabangan searched every corner of the Chico River in Sabangan yesterday.
This followed reports that a 60-year-old man, Francis Angel, drowned.
According to Joan Kayad, Administrative Officer at Mountain Province PDRMMO, “A neighbor saw Mr. Angel gathering driftwood, and suddenly he disappeared as he seemed to be pulled by the driftwood he was collecting.”
The victim’s body was found past eleven in the morning along the Chico River between Barangay Balili in Bontoc and Barangay Gonogon in Sabangan.
As a result, the water level of the Chico River and the Siffu River in Paracelis, which reached a critical level, continue to be closely monitored.
In addition, roads across the province have been closed.
In Barangay Talubin in Bontoc, landslide debris fell across the road from the mountain.
Fallen rocks and uprooted trees also blocked the Baguio-Bontoc Road in Barangay Bontoc Ili.
“We have prepositioned or mobilized our clearing teams from different offices. If it’s a national highway, we coordinate with the DPWH,” Kayad assured.
In Barlig, a landslide hit a multipurpose building.
The debris entered the building.
Some equipment was immediately evacuated from the building, fearing further landslides.
In the entire province, over 200 families, or more than 700 individuals, have been evacuated due to Typhoon Kristine.
**Charles Nikko Limon
