Skip Baguio amid heavy rains, OCD urges tourists

Tourist spots in Baguio City were hit by floods on Friday due to continuous rain brought by Tropical Storm Maymay and the Southwest Monsoon or Habagat.

In a “24 Oras” report by Marisol Abdurahman, tourist spots in the City of Pines were closed, including Burnham Park and strawberry farms, which were submerged in floodwaters due to the relentless downpour.

The heavy rain severely impacted local livelihoods.

Several farmers were seen uprooting their strawberry and lettuce crops, which had been submerged for days. The farmers said they would try to replant what they could in another plot to salvage their harvest.

The farmers expressed distress over the inclement weather, noting that much of their lettuce crop was completely ruined. This will result in heavy financial losses, especially since it will take several months before they can plant again.

The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) appealed to tourists to refrain from traveling to Baguio for now due to the hazards posed by the severe weather.

“'Pag ganitong panahon, dini-discourage na po namin yung mga tourism activities dito. Lalong lalo na po ‘yung, kung hindi naman po importante ang pagpunta dito ipagpaliban na lang po,” OCD Cordillera Region Regional Director Albert Mogol said on Balitanghali.

(During weather like this, we strongly discourage tourism activities here. If travel to the area is not urgent, we advise postponing it.)

Roads and evacuees

Due to heavy rains that battered Benguet, several roads across Baguio City and La Trinidad experienced zero-visibility conditions, creating hazardous driving conditions alongside thick fog and torrential downpours.

In the morning, a section of the Baguio–Baoay Road in Barangay Irisan was flooded, making it difficult for motorists to pass through.

According to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), the road flooding was caused by the limited capacity of a nearby drainage system, which is currently undergoing repairs.

Meanwhile, Kennon Road remains closed to all motorists as a precautionary measure against potential rockslides.

In Barangay Lubas, La Trinidad, Benguet, several families were forced to evacuate. Among them was Amy Bugtong, whose home was inundated by floodwaters and thick mud, forcing her to call for rescue for herself and her four children.

“Lumikas po kasi, ma'am, kasi 'yung sa bahay namin sa taas na-flood po tsaka na-landslide na sa taas. Nininerbyos po ako, ‘di ko na alam ang gagawin ko,” Bugtong recalled.

(We had to evacuate because our house up there was flooded and affected by a landslide. I panicked—I didn’t know what to do.)

Meanwhile, May Ann Baliwawa broke down in tears as she recalled the danger the landslide posed to her family, especially with her youngest child being only three years old.

“Nung pumunta kami dito sa baba saka… ko na lang naisip na kung nandon pa kami tapos biglang lalakas pa ‘yung tubig hindi ko na alam,” Baliwawa said.

(It was only after we reached safety that I realized what could have happened. If we had stayed up there and the water suddenly surged, I don’t know what we would have done.)

According to a local official, several households were ordered to evacuate after heavy runoff water from the highlands began flooding residential areas.

“Pinalikas namin kasi nga lumalakas ‘yung ulan. ‘Yung tubig na nanggaling sa bundok lumalakas din, ‘yung putik sa taas pumupunta sa kanilang… in fact, [pumapasok na] sa bahay sa paligid nila, delikado. Pinilit ko,” Brgy. Lubas Chairman Milagroso Familan said.

(We ordered them to evacuate because the rain was intensifying. The water and mud pouring down from the mountains were already entering surrounding homes, making it extremely dangerous. I had to insist they leave.)

The DPWH reminded motorists to exercise extreme caution when driving in adverse weather conditions.

Local authorities said they will continue to monitor the situation and implement safety measures, such as rerouting schemes, to ensure public safety. Aside from flooding, they are also closely watching landslide-prone areas. –NB, GMA News