BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — Cooperation among government agencies, the private sector and volunteers in conducting clearing operations led to the immediate opening of at least two major roads in Tuba, Benguet that temporarily closed during the height of Super Typhoon Nando.
On Monday, Sept. 22, the Department of Public Works and Highways – Cordillera Administrative Region reported that three major roads leading to Baguio City closed due to landslides and fallen trees caused by the continuous heavy rains and strong winds of Super Typhoon Nando.
A large volume of soil, trees and other debris caused the closure of the Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual Road at around 11AM. Local officials of Barangay San Pascual in Nangalisan with personnel of the Tuba Municipal Police Station immediately conducted a clearing operation. The road was opened to motorists at around 3:00PM.
At around 2:00 PM of the same day, a big landslide occurred along Marcos Highway or the Aspiras-Palispis Road particularly at Sitio Begis, Poblacion, Tuba which affected four vehicles passing through the highway. A 74 year old male perished in the accident while nine others were rushed to the hospital for medical attention.
The Tuba Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, private responders, and other volunteers immediately conducted rescue operations to the victims of the vehicles covered by soil
DPWH with partner agencies line the police and the Bureau of Fire Protection and volunteers worked on clearing the slide and Marcos Highway was passable at around 4:00PM.
Heavy water flow was also experienced along Sitio Badiwan also in Poblacion, Tuba due to the heavy rains of the super typhoon.
In Kennon Road Road, at around 1PM, Punong Barangay Lenny Campolet reported that a large tree fell along Sitio Culba in Barangay Twin Peaks in Tuba, Benguet. The fallen tree also damaged an electric post and several power lines that sagged at the road. Barangay officials, Tuba MDRRMO and other volunteers did the clearing operations while the powerlines were secured by the personnel of the Benguet Electric Cooperative.
Another landslide incident was also reported at Canubas in Barangay Camp 4 along Kennon Road.
Kennon Road remains closed to all motorists while clearing operations continue and due to heavy rain that may cause soil/rock slides.
Motorists and other road users are advised to take all necessary precautions when passing through the roads in the Cordillera region especially with the continuing typhoons and Southwest monsoon. **JDP/RMC-PIA CAR
