A large acacia tree inside Mariano Marcos Elementary School in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, was uprooted Saturday morning, damaging a parked SUV. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Based on on-site observations, the tree’s collapse was likely due to prolonged heavy rainfall in recent days, which significantly softened the soil and undermined the tree’s root support. The sheer weight and wide canopy of the decades-old tree further contributed to the structural failure.

Responding swiftly, personnel from the Batac City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office launched an intensive clearing operation, utilizing heavy equipment to remove the massive debris and secure the area.