OCD: Landslide 'isolates' Valencia City from Davao road

A landslide caused by heavy rains has "isolated" Valencia City in Bukidnon province, with local authorities discouraging residents from taking the landslide-affected highway linking the city to neighboring areas. Office of the Civil Defense Region 10 director Carmelito Lupo said the highway links Valencia City to neighboring San Fernando town and to Davao del Norte. "Talagang natabunan yan. Kahapon kasi talagang nag-decide ang Mayor, si Mayor (Leandro Jose) Catarata, talagang walang makadaan doon na tao para walang madisgrasya. We have to take the river, may river doon, Polangui River, pwede mag-pumpboat going to San Fernando," Lupo said in an interview on dzBB radio. (The landslide buried parts of the highway, such that Valencia Mayor Catarata ordered that no one pass through the highway to prevent further casualties. We have to take pumpboats and cross the Polangui River to get to neighboring San Fernando.) "Yes, isolated. Pwede lakarin pero kasi delikado, pinagbawal na talaga (Yes it is isolated. You can walk along the affected highway but it is dangerous, so the local officials disallowed it)," he added. When asked if the only way to get to neighboring towns is via banca for now, he said: "Yes, yes."

Lupo also said they are now verifying sketchy reports another landslide may have buried another village. So far, he said the OCD has confirmed at least three people dead from Monday's incident. At least three were rescued and at least "10 to 20" are still missing, he said. Other reports, however, said the death toll has risen to six. Lupo said they stopped search-and-retrieval operations Monday night to prevent risks to the search teams. He said the teams were to resume their search Tuesday morning. Lupo also said they are keeping watch over the area for rains, especially after state weather forecasters warned of more possible floods and landslides in the province. "Monitor namin ang sitwasyon dito (We are monitoring the situation here)," he said. He also said local officials brought food to residents in the landslide-affected areas. — RSJ, GMA News