BAGUIO CITY — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Cordillera is urging motorists and residents to exercise extra caution as continued heavy rainfall has triggered soil movements across the region.
As of 6:29 a.m. on Saturday, the DPWH Upper Kalinga District Engineering Office reported the closure of the Mountain Province Boundary-Calanan-Pinukpuk-Abbut Road in Kalinga due to a soil collapse caused by persistent rain. Clearing operations are currently underway.
“There is no alternate route available, and we apologize for the inconvenience,” the DPWH stated.
Meanwhile, other roads across the Cordillera Region remain impassable or are limited to one-lane access, as indicated in earlier advisories.
The Gov. Bado Dangwa National Road in Datakan, Kapangan, Benguet is closed, according to the DPWH Benguet Second District Engineering Office.
The Jct. Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis-Calaccad Road in Amata, Poblacion Paracelis, Mountain Province is also closed due to landslides. Clearing operations are ongoing. Motorists are advised to use the Tawang-Amolong section as an alternate route.
In Baguio City, the Legarda Road is one-lane passable for light vehicles only, as reported by the Baguio City District Engineering Office.
Civil defense advisory
The Civil Defense Cordillera (CDC) has issued a general warning about potential flooding due to continuous rainfall. Several rivers and tributaries are at risk of swelling and possible overflow.
In Abra, this includes the Upper Abra, Tineg and Ikmin rivers. In Apayao, the Upper Abulug and Upper Pamplona rivers are at risk. In Benguet, the Upper Bauang River may be affected. In Ifugao, Mountain Province and Kalinga, all river systems are under watch.
The CDC advises residents near mountain slopes and low-lying areas along these river systems, as well as local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, to take precautionary measures.