By: Charles Nikko Limon
Several roads across the Cordillera and Ilocos regions have been temporarily closed due to landslides brought about by continuous rains from the southwest monsoon, or habagat, which officially marked the start of the rainy season in the Philippines.
In Mountain Province, authorities closed the Tadian-Nacawang Provincial Road after a major landslide hit the Napose section in Barangay Batayan on May 31.
“It rained really hard that Saturday, and it lasted more than two hours,” said Jerry Agageo, Chief of Tadian’s Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. “The entire road was covered, so we had to close it.”
Clearing operations were completed by June 3, and the road has since been reopened to traffic.
In Kabayan, Benguet, rocks fell along the Kabayan Barrio-Timbac Road due to heavy rain.
The route was cleared and made passable soon after.
Meanwhile, the Villa Verde or Nueva Vizcaya–Pangasinan Road in San Nicolas, Pangasinan, remains one-lane passable due to a landslide.
Motorists heading to Region II are advised to take the Umingan-Lupao Road as an alternative.
In Ilocos Norte, a landslide was also reported in Barangay Pancian, Pagudpud, last week.
Authorities say the area remains under close monitoring.
“We’re on alert in case another landslide happens,” said Pagudpud Police Chief PMaj. Carlo Abing. “When it rains heavily, we temporarily hold motorists and coordinate with provincial officials. We only allow travel once it’s safe and clearing operations are done.”
PAGASA noted that while the habagat is now active, a temporary monsoon break or weakening of the southwest monsoon is still possible in the coming days.
