Road in Mountain Province temporary closed for ritual

BONTOC, Mountain Province — The Talubin-Barlig Road will be temporarily closed to traffic on Sunday, 20 September 2026, from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM to accommodate customary cleansing rituals at Sitio Pingew and Sitio Jakap in Bontoc, Mountain Province.

In coordination with the municipal governments of Barlig and Bontoc, cleansing rites are to be conducted following recent vehicular accidents in the area. The ritual will be dedicated to the tragic incident on 15 September 2026, when an Elf truck carrying around 27 passengers lost control and plunged 50 to 100 meters into a ravine at Sitio Jakap. The crash resulted in six fatalities, including five adults and an infant, while 17 other passengers suffered injuries and were brought to local medical facilities for treatment.

Local tradition dictates the performance of traditional cleansing rituals at sites of traumatic events to restore spiritual balance, offer solace, and ensure the peace and safety of both emergency responders and community members.

Commuters, transport operators, and motorists planning to travel between Bontoc and Barlig during the specified timeframe are advised to adjust their travel schedules and re-plan their trips to avoid delays. Traffic flow along the affected section is expected to resume immediately after the conclusion of the rituals at 2:00 PM.