Benguet: Governor Melchor Diclas on Friday said the provincial government is reassessing landslide-prone areas, particularly those affected during Super Typhoon Nando (international name Ragasa), to determine if disaster preparedness plans need to be updated. "We are working with the DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), municipalities, and barangays to identify dangerous areas, know what to avoid, and decide what needs to be done," Diclas told reporters.
According to Philippines News Agency, the governor noted that climate change and the 'aging earth' have made weather-related incidents more unpredictable, especially in mountainous areas such as Benguet and the Cordillera. He highlighted the environmental issues that have transformed previously stable areas into high-risk zones, emphasizing the difficulty in predicting such changes due to the aging earth.
Diclas cited the deadly landslide in Tuba along Marcos Highway during Nando, which killed one, injured several others, and damaged vehicles. He stressed the need for constant reassessment, noting that even areas considered secure can be unexpectedly affected. Marcos Highway, the province's main link to the lowlands, has long been equipped with safety measures, but landslides continue to occur.
He also identified other vulnerable sites, including 'Pilando' in Buguias and Bakun, which has been identified as a sinking area and requires a bridge for a more sustainable solution. The series of landslides along Halsema Highway during Nando, which delayed the reopening of roads critical for vegetable transport, further underscored the province's vulnerability.
From September 20 to 22, Benguet and Baguio received 421 millimeters of rainfall, close to the September monthly average of 530 mm, further saturating the soil and raising landslide risks. Diclas urged residents to remain vigilant, especially with Severe Tropical Storm Opong (international name Bualoi) expected to affect the region. "We may be seeing sunny days now, but the ground remains soaked. Let us prepare and check our surroundings before the new weather disturbance arrives," he said.
