Clearing operations began on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the site of a landslide in Barangay Guisad Surong as authorities moved to remove debris and assess whether the area should be declared unsafe for future development.

Government workers, barangay officials, and volunteers cleared scattered debris and cut bamboo at the site, where several people died.

Baguio City DRRM Office Incident Management Team Officer Louie Glenn Lardizabal said the clearing work also aims to reduce the risk of another landslide.

“Try to at least mitigate the landslide that will actually occur in the future. Lalo kung malakas ang hangin, nilo-loosen niya itong saturated na lupa as of this time,” she said.

The city government has recommended that the site be included in a no-build zone, but the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) must first conduct an assessment.

Lardizabal said authorities will wait for the MGB assessment after the clearing work and once weather conditions improve.

“We cannot actually say that it’s a no build zone until our MGB will make an assessment, though we are recommending it. After ng clearing operations natin at gumanda ang panahon, they will be coming to assess the area,” she said.

MGB-Cordillera supervising geologist Raymanne Mabazza said areas hit by a landslide are considered highly susceptible to further landslides, while the agency continues to study the affected area.

“Ang protocol talaga pag nagkaroon ng landslide ay magiging very high susceptible na ito sa landslide. Pina-finalize lang namin yung areas, ini-study natin yung satellite images,” she said.

Meanwhile, the last day of the wake for the seven members of a family who died in the landslide was held on Tuesday, August 19.

Their relatives and friends gathered to pay their respects before the victims were buried morning on Wednesday, August 20.

Jerwin Caluza, whose eight-year-old daughter Elisha Grace was among those who died, said the loss remained painful for the family.

“Sa akin naman, medyo emotional pero masasabi ko na ganiyan talaga ang buhay at nasa Panginoon na ang anak ko at sa lahat ng kamag-anak ko na nawala, alam kong sila ay nasa Panginoon na,” he said.

Caluza said the local government had also spoken with the families affected about relocating them and possibly declaring their former homes a no-build area.

“Maghahanap po sila titirahan namin at rerentahan po namin ng six months, then ire-relocate kami kung saan man banda. Sabi nga ni Mayor na no building zone, risky na po yung area kung sakaling babalik kami doon,” he said.

Authorities continue to clear the site while awaiting the MGB's assessment of the area's landslide risk.