Department of Public Works and Highways personnel clear debris along Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet. Motorists and residents are urged to exercise extreme caution when traveling through the area.
PHOTOGRAPH Courtesy of Tuba Police
ITOGON, Benguet — Severe weather conditions triggered landslides and rockfalls across Itogon, Benguet, leaving several major and municipal roads impassable or subject to intermittent closures Monday morning.
According to the Itogon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, multiple road networks are completely closed to traffic. In Barangay Tinongdan, the Keweng-Depey road section remains impassable. In Barangay Ampucao, road closures affect the Saddle-Hartwell-Lumbag Municipal Road, Samuyao Barangay Road, Tapsan Barangay Road and Midway Road in Dalicno.
In Barangay Loacan, fluctuating water levels along the Antamok River caused by heavy rainfall rendered the Antamok-Luneta, Antamok-Loacan Proper and Labilab-Petican road sections impassable.
The Baguio-Itogon National Road at Goldfield, Poblacion, is completely closed. Authorities advised motorists traveling through the area to take alternate routes via Midas and Ucab, or Kias and Virac.
Travelers face additional restricted access along the Kias-Philex Provincial Road at Eureka in Barangay Ampucao and the Midas Municipal Road in Barangay Ucab. Meanwhile, the Baguio-Itogon National Road at First Gate, Ucab, remains limited to a single passable lane.
State weather bureau PAGASA issued a yellow rainfall warning for Benguet as the southwest monsoon continues to bring heavy rains to the region, maintaining a high risk of localized flooding and landslides throughout the mountainous province.
In neighboring Baguio City, local authorities temporarily closed several public parks and tourist attractions Monday due to the inclement weather.
The Baguio City Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office announced the closures and advised residents and visitors to prioritize safety.
Closed sites include the parks, trails, historical core and mini-golf course at Camp John Hay, alongside the Baguio Botanical Garden, Mines View Park, Wright Park, Bayan Park, Diplomat Hotel, Baguio Museum, The Mansion House, BenCab Museum, Museo Kordilyera and all neighborhood community parks.
Despite the widespread closures, several destinations remain open to the public, including Burnham Park, the Igorot Stone Kingdom, Camp John Hay Golf Club, the Philippine Military Academy, Tam-awan Village and Dragon Treasure Castle.
Tourism officials continue to advise the public to stay updated on weather announcements and take necessary safety precautions.
