BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Cordillera (MGB-CAR) reminds the public to remain alert and vigilant as soil conditions in the region, particularly in Baguio City and Benguet, remain critical following continuous rains brought by recent tropical cyclones and the southwest monsoon or habagat.
The Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA) reported that these weather systems dumped 1,413 millimeters of accumulated rainfall from August 1 to 9, 2026 in Baguio City and Benguet, equivalent to 1.5 months’ worth of August rain.
MGB-CAR Geosciences Division OIC Chief Reymanne Mabazza said this exceeded the 50-100 millimeters threshold in the province.
“Ang ibig sabihin po nu’n, sobrang dami na ng rainfall na bumagsak sa atin. The 1,413 is ine-expect natin na rainfall for one and a half months, bumagsak lang for nine days sa atin,” Mabazza said.
The high amount of rainfall, which is far beyond the threshold, is very alarming, he said.
Areas identified as high landslide- and very high landslide-susceptible are likely to experience landslides, he said.
Mabazza reminded the public to evacuate immediately if they notice signs of impending landslides.
“So kapag may signs na ng impending landslides like tension cracks, tilted trees, ‘yung mga misaligned na windows and doors, tayo na mismo ang magsariling evacuate po. Hindi na po natin kailangan ng abiso from agencies. So, kasama din sa mga senyales na abangan po natin ay ang mga kaunting pagguho ng lupa o bato, malakas na agos ng tubig na may kasamang putik, tapos bitak sa lupa, sa misaligned na semento, at sa mga pader po ng mga bahay natin,” he stated.
“When it comes to landslide, early evacuation is always safer than waiting for failure, so kapag alam na naman natin ‘yung lugar natin at alam natin na maulan based on PAGASA, tayo na mismo ang sariling mag-evacuate, and of course, we have to stay alert, stay informed and most importantly, stay away from unstable slopes,” he emphasized.
Based on the MGB-CAR operation center data, a total of 57 landslides were recorded across the region during the period. The province of Benguet recorded the highest number with 35 incidents, followed by Mountain Province with ten, four each in Abra and Kalinga, three in Ifugao, and one in Apayao.
At least 15 individuals perished in landslides in Guisad Surong, Baguio City and in Shilan, La Trinidad, and Paoay, Atok, Benguet.
Mabazza also urged the public to continuously monitor and follow official advisories from the DOST-PAGASA, MGB, Office of Civil Defense, and local disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) offices. **JDP/DEG-PIA CAR
