The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced on Saturday that several national roads had to be closed to vehicles because of the strong combined effects of Tropical Cyclone Isang and the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat).
🚧 Roads Closed Due to Damage
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In the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), a part of the Lubuagan-Batong Buhay-Abra Boundary Road in Kalinga was declared impassable after a soil collapse blocked the way.
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In Cagayan Valley, a section of the Jct Victoria Maddela–Alicia–Kasibu Boundary Road in Quirino was also closed due to landslide damage.
DPWH said clearing operations are underway, with heavy equipment on the way to fix the blocked areas. Traffic and warning signs were also placed for motorists’ safety.
🌊 Flooding and Rising Waters
Meanwhile, residents in different parts of the country are also facing serious flooding:
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In Cagayan de Oro City, people were filmed rushing across a temporary bridge as the Bigaan River quickly swelled. Water even entered riverside homes. One house, a taxi, and a motorcycle were swept away, but no casualties were reported.
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In Makilala, Cotabato, a spillway overflowed because its drainage opening was too small. Motorists struggled to cross the flooded road.
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In Lebak, Sultan Kudarat, waters overflowed at another spillway, worrying residents about possible bigger floods.
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In Davao Oriental, sudden floods forced people to evacuate immediately, with waters rising to waist-deep levels in some areas.
🚑 Rescue and Search Operations
The MDRRMO (local disaster officials) carried out rescue missions for families trapped by floods. In Echague, Isabela, a search operation is ongoing for a woman feared drowned after a tricycle fell into a river during heavy rains. Two other passengers survived.
In Santiago City, Isabela, floodwaters reached gutter-deep levels inside the market. Officials said clogged sewage worsened the flooding.
🚜 Landslides and Blocked Roads
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In Lubuagan, Kalinga, a huge rock blocked the highway.
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In Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya, only one lane of the Benguet–Nueva Vizcaya road remained open after a landslide, but clearing teams have already started working.
👷 Gov’t Response
So far, the DPWH has deployed 36 heavy equipment units and 226 workers to CAR, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, NCR, Negros Island Region, and Central Luzon to fast-track clearing operations. One affected road in NCR has already been cleared.
👉 In short, the wrath of Isang and Habagat has led to road closures, rising floods, and dangerous landslides across many provinces. Authorities are racing to reopen roads and rescue residents, but warnings remain for communities at risk of further flooding and landslides.
