AS the retrieval operations at level 070 in Ucab, Itogon, Benguet draw to a close, elders and local officials of the mining town hold rituals to cleanse the rescuers and seek help for the missing.

At Sitio Keystone, two pigs were butchered while elders performed the “pammakan,” a Kankana-ey ritual seeking the help of ancestral spirits in finding the people buried under the landslide.

This was followed by "daw-es", another kankana-ey cleansing ceremony led by a mambunong offering a dog. The ritual seeks to remove bad omen, according to Itogon Mayor Victorio Palangdan.

The cleansing was intended for all rescuers who participated in the search, rescue and retrieval operations for at least two weeks comprised of the 503rd Brigade, Police Regional Office, Philippine Air Force, Bureau of Fire Protection, Benguet Provincial Police, LGU and civilian volunteers composed of the Philex Mining Group, Benguet Corporation, DPWH, DOH and individual volunteers.

As of October 1, casualties from the Itogon landslide reached 91 with 67 coming from Ucab, 16 in Loacan, four in Poblacion, two in Ampucao, and one each in Dalupirip and Virac.

A prayer service was also conducted following the blessing of the bodies at the temporary burial site.

Based on the recommendation of the Mines Geosciences and Bureau, Palangdan stated they are enjoining all occupants of houses, shanties, shelters, and similar structures situated within the different sitios of Ucab to avoid the area after it was declared a “no-build zone” because of it is highly susceptible to landslides.

Also, the operations of small-scale mining in the said areas are prohibited as ordered by Department of Environment and Natural Resources.