Frasco tells travelers to skip Banaue after rains trigger mudslides, flashfloods

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has advised travelers to skip Banaue following the mudslides and flashfloods caused by non-stop rains on Thursday afternoon.

In statement, Frasco said the DOT in the Cordillera Administrative Region reported that most hotels in Banaue were undergoing cleaning operations.

"Tourists are advised to temporarily suspend travel to Banaue while clearing and cleaning operations are ongoing," Frasco said.

In an update on Friday, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) said 1,500 people or 500 families in six barangays in Banaue were affected by floods.

At least 23 people or 13 families were staying in an evacuation center.

A total of three roads were not passable including Banaue-Mayoyao Alfonso Lista Isabela boundary road,  Banaue-Hungduan Benguet boundary road, and Nueva Vizcaya Ifugao-Mt. Province boundary road.

A series of soil collapses were reported on Thursday evening. Clearing operations will start when the weather permits, the NDRRMC said.

One house was reported totally damaged.

Around 500 family food packs worth P339,375 from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) have been distributed to affected residents. —NB, GMA News