BY: CHARLES NIKKO LIMON
Clearing operations have begun in Sitio Acupan, Barangay Virac, Itogon, Benguet, following the landslide that occurred last Friday.
However, local authorities continue to face major challenges due to intermittent rains and ongoing soil erosion.
Rosemarie Cho-oy, 69, recounted how her home in Sitio Camp 3 was flooded with mud during the downpour.
“We couldn’t sleep at all,” she said in Ilocano. “If only the landslide happened once, but it wasn’t. I couldn’t calm down thinking what we should do next. We had to evacuate and sleep at the school just in case it got worse at night.”
Her house was among those affected when rocks and mud cascaded down the mountainside.
Cho-oy shared this wasn’t the first time they experienced such fear.
“Last year, during Typhoon Pepito, our house was also flooded,” she added. “The water reached almost three feet high. We only saw these things on TV before, now it’s happening to us. It’s really scary.”
Nineteen families were evacuated by the local government, but rescue operations were hindered when the only access bridge was destroyed by the landslide.
As seen on-site, several homes remain submerged in debris, and residents are helping clear the area manually as heavy equipment is yet to arrive.
“This year’s landslide brought down more rocks and soil than last year’s,” said Barangay Captain Nestor Martillano. “We’re proposing to bring in backhoes to speed up the clearing.”
But weather conditions continue to pose danger.
“When the soil becomes fully saturated, and it can’t hold anymore, it might push down all the mud that’s built up,” explained Engr. Cyril Batcagan, Chief of Itogon’s MDRRMO. “If it bursts, it’s going to be sudden.”
Residents have temporarily taken shelter at a nearby school.
However, clearing efforts are often paused due to strong winds and heavy rain.
“The problem now is that the non-stop rain is adding more mud and rocks near the school,” said Batcagan. “It’s becoming more dangerous.”
The local government is currently assessing the situation and coordinating with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau to ensure the safety of residents before deploying heavy equipment.
