Marilaque lane reopens after Rizal landslide

BARAS, Rizal — One lane of the Marilaque Highway has reopened to motorists after a massive landslide blocked a section of the road for several hours on Friday.

Authorities cleared enough debris to allow vehicles to pass through the affected section in Barangay Pinugay while clearing operations continued.

The landslide covered about 50 meters of the highway and left nearly four kilometers of the road temporarily impassable, stranding motorists and forcing others to take alternative routes.

A jeepney was nearly toppled during the incident, but authorities reported no casualties.

The landslide also damaged an electrical post, causing a power interruption in a nearby community.

The Baras Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office said continuous rains brought by the southwest monsoon saturated the ground, triggering the collapse of soil and rocks along the highway.

Motorists were advised to remain cautious as clearing operations continued and further soil movement remained possible amid the wet conditions.