THE continued heavy downpour in the highlands brought about by the intensified monsoon rains have prompted different Cordillera local government units to cancel classes from pre-school to college.
Abra, Baguio City, Benguet and Bauko, Mountain Province have canceled classes in all levels in public to private schools due to the inclement weather.
In Mountain Province, Besao, Sabangan, Sagada, and Tadian have canceled all classes from preschool to senior high school in both public and private while Bontoc has called off classes in preschool for the public and private schools.
At least 35 individuals were evacuated in Baguio City while Benguet has relocated 28 families coming from Kibungan and Tuba.
Baguio City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council operations chief Julius Santos said minor erosions were experienced in the city due to the continuous rains.
“We have received reports of minor erosions while those affected were preemptively evacuated. We preemptively evacuated 35 individuals with most of them evacuating to their relatives while others like that of Purok 20, Irisan Barangay were evacuated at the San Carlos Elementary School,” Santos said.
The evacuees have been coordinated with their barangay officials, were assisted by the police and were referred to the city social welfare office who have received food and non-food items.
Other evacuees were reported at Cabinet Hill, Pacdal and Lucnab area who evacuated to their relatives while erosions also occurred at the QM barangay area.
“As early as August 8, the barangay disaster risk reduction and management councils in the city have been activated. We are fortunate that despite the reports of soil erosions, we did not have any victims, and we are hoping that we would not have any big problems,” the CDRRMC Operations Chief stated.
Meanwhile, the Benguet Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council disclosed the onslaught of the monsoon rains has caused several rock slides, fallen trees along major roads, increased volume of water along rivers, soil erosion along pathways and interruption of electric power supply.
On Monday, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) declared the Ambuklao and Binga hydroelectric dams in Benguet have begun releasing water from its 14 gates.
The hydroelectric dams were opened as of Sunday which flows down to San Roque Dam in San Manuel, Pangasinan.
As of 6 a.m. of August 13, Ambuklao Dam in Benguet opened eight gates while Binga Dam had six gates opened.
PDRRMC chair Benguet Governor Crescencio Pacalso also urged residents to stay safe and constantly monitor their respective surroundings.
On Monday, trekking activities were suspended in Mount Pulag in Kabayan, Benguet.
Park superintendent Victor Gorinto said hikes and treks at Mount Pulag National Park were temporarily suspended as of Thursday, August 9 and will be open until further notice.
In preparation of imminent threats, the Office of the Civil Defense Cordillera earlier advised the public and local DRRM councils to take necessary precautionary measures.
The agency advised the conduct of pre-emptive evacuation in high risk areas including communities in Sitio Tipong- Dalicno, Barangay Ampucao in Itogon, Kiangan Village, Camp 3 and Sitio La-aw, Camp 6 in Tuba.
All small-scale mining activities and tourism activities in high risk-areas are also suspended.
A search and rescue operations is now ongoing to recover an alleged victim of drowning along Km. 5, Marcos Highway, Dontogan, Baguio City which occurred in the evening of August 11.
The victim was identified as Mencio Abol Amiten, of legal age, married, farmer/driver and a resident of Pula, Poblacion, Tuba, Benguet.
Investigation disclosed the victim was on board his Asian utility vehicle in transporting his companions with their groceries.
While transferring one cartoon of groceries to the store of his companion, Amiten accidentally slipped at the footbridge causing him to fall down into the drainage canal and was swept by the strong current of water going down to Badiwan, Tuba, Benguet.
Personnel of Station 10 Baguio City Police Office, Tuba Municipal Station, City Mobile Force Company (CMFC), Baguio City Emergency and Medical Services and Baguio City Fire Station conducted an initial joint search and rescue operation to locate the victim but to no avail.
The search and rescue resumed with Tuba Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Bureau of Fire, adjoining Barangay DRRMC and other agencies conducting the operation.
Meanwhile, two victims of electrocution were reported in separate occasions in Benguet Province and Baguio City during the strong rains over the weekend.
In the morning of August 11, Kimjay Lesino Atting, 23 years old, single, farmer and resident of Saclalan, Amgaleygey, Buguias, Benguet was electrocuted by a loose live wire cable of Benguet electric Cooperative.
The victim was immediately rushed to Northern Benguet District Hospital after sustaining burns on his right foot and a fracture on his right arm.
Atting is still confined and in stable condition.
On the same day, Eduardo Jolen Sobremonte Jr, 30 years old, chef, and resident of Purok 2, Dontogan, Baguio City was accidentally electrocuted by a live primary line of the Baguio Electric Cooperative (Beneco) which was cut due to strong winds.
The victim was brought to BGHMC by concerned citizen for medical treatment.