A viral video of rocks and debris falling onto the national highway in Sogod, Cebu, on July 14, 2026, has sparked safety concerns among commuters and residents.
Sogod Mayor Lissa Marie “Moonyeen” Durano-Streegan clarified that the rockfalls are part of a controlled DPWH slope protection project intended to clear loose limestone and prevent future landslides.
Despite safety measures including warning signs and traffic personnel, commuters remain anxious due to previous debris incidents on June 2 and the route's importance to northern Cebu towns.
A VIDEO shared online has sparked safety concerns among motorists traveling through Sogod, Cebu, after it captured rocks and debris tumbling onto the national highway. Despite assurances from local officials that the area is secure, commuters remain highly anxious about the dangerous conditions.
Rocks and debris falling onto the national highway in Sogod, Cebu.. Source: SunStar
The viral video, posted by an affected motorist on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, shows rocks and dirt cascading down a steep roadside slope. The falling debris sent a massive cloud of dust billowing across the highway just as vehicles were driving past.
Sogod Mayor Lissa Marie “Moonyeen” Durano-Streegan quickly responded to the public alarm. She clarified that the rockfall is part of an ongoing slope protection project by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The project's goal is to clear away loose limestone before it can fall on its own and cause a natural landslide.
Mayor Streegan reassured the public that the rockfalls are actually part of a carefully controlled operation to make the highway safer in the long run.
“The activity is carefully monitored, with warning signages installed and traffic personnel deployed to temporarily stop vehicles whenever rocks are being released to ensure public safety,” Streegan said.
Traffic personnel are stationed at the site to manage the flow of cars, and warning signs are in place to alert drivers when active scaling work is happening. The mayor urged everyone to stay calm, follow traffic directions, and drive with extra caution.
DPWH Central Visayas was contacted for comment on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, but the agency has not yet responded.
Even with safety measures in place, many locals and commuters are still afraid. Social media users have pointed out that the affected road is particularly dangerous because the opposite lane heading toward Cebu City is hard to see around the curve.
For residents in nearby northern towns, the highway is a critical lifeline. One commenter expressed the high anxiety felt by locals:
“Mahadlok nata mo byahe taga Borbon ug Tabogon kay mao na ato agianan, wala na lain.” (We are now afraid to travel, those of us from Borbon and Tabogon, because that is our route and there is no other.)
Other travelers added that this specific stretch of road has been a source of fear for a long time, especially for families heading home to northern Cebu.
This is not the first time the area has faced dangerous debris. On June 2, rocks and soil tumbled onto active lanes while vehicles were passing, causing a similar scare.
Unlike natural landslides that are triggered by heavy rain, these rockfalls have been happening even during clear, dry weather. Local municipal officials previously confirmed in June that the falling debris is directly tied to the DPWH's preventive engineering work.
While the government continues its efforts to secure the rocky cliffs, commuters must remain highly alert every time they travel through Sogod. The challenge now is balancing the urgent need for long-term road safety improvements with the immediate physical safety of the thousands of people who use the highway every day. DPC