Bukidnon–Davao del Norte road now OK after landslide debris cleared

VALENCIA CITY, BUKIDNON, Philippines — A landslide triggered by continuous rains and briefly rendered a vital road linking Bukidnon and Davao del Norte impassable to all types of vehicles on Sunday morning, July 5, is now cleared of debris, and traffic was restored later in the day.

The landslide struck a section of the Kapalong–Talaingod–Valencia Road in Sitio Cabadiangan, Talaingod, Davao del Norte, burying the two-lane concrete road under mud, rocks and soil.The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 10 issued a travel advisory informing motorists that the affected road was closed to traffic due to a soil collapse.

READ: DPWH opens new section of Bukidnon-Davao roadTravelers bound for Davao City were advised to use the Bukidnon–Davao City Road via Quezon, Bukidnon, as an alternate route.The Kapalong–Talaingod–Valencia Road serves as an important road network connecting the hinterland communities of Bukidnon and Davao del Norte.

READ: DPWH opens new Bukidnon-Davao road sectionIt is widely used by residents, farmers, traders, public utility vehicles, and government agencies, providing a shorter route for the transport of agricultural products, essential goods, and public services between the two provinces.By Sunday afternoon, however, traffic had resumed after heavy equipment deployed by the Davao del Norte provincial government cleared the landslide debris.Pully Macapobre of the Talaingod Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office told the Inquirer over the phone that the road had already become passable following the clearing operations.Macapobre said landslides frequently occur along the mountainous corridor separating Bukidnon and Davao del Norte, particularly during the rainy season.“This is not an isolated incident. We have recorded similar landslides in previous wet seasons because the area is highly susceptible to soil movement,” he said in a phone interview.He urged motorists to exercise caution and avoid traveling through the area at night, when visibility is poor and the risk of additional landslides is higher.Davao del Norte has been experiencing moderate to heavy rainfall in recent days, increasing the likelihood of further soil collapses along mountain roads, according to local disaster officials. /cb

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.