Landslide Cuts Off Major Road Link Between Bukidnon and Davao

VALENCIA CITY, Bukidnon — A major road network connecting San Fernando, Bukidnon to Davao City has been rendered impassable to all vehicles following a massive landslide triggered by heavy rains on Thursday afternoon. The affected stretch, which passes through the villages of Kalagangan, Cabuling, Durian, and Matupi in San Fernando toward Davao City’s Paquibato District and Panabo, Davao del Norte, was shut down after debris buried the concrete road around 3:00 p.m. on July 23. Anthony Sindoy of the San Fernando Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) stated that an initial assessment revealed approximately 30 to 35 meters of earth, rocks, and uprooted trees covered the highway at Sitio Sapiki in the Paquibato District, stranding several motorists. This area is prone to landslides during the rainy season. Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region 11 spokesperson Dean Ortiz confirmed that engineers are currently evaluating the site to launch clearing operations as soon as conditions permit. Meanwhile, clearing efforts are ongoing at a separate landslide site along the San Fernando–Talaingod–Kapalong–Tagum road. Heavy equipment from DPWH Region 10, local district engineering offices, and the San Fernando municipal government are deployed, but persistent bad weather continues to slow progress. Past incidents of similar scale in the region have sometimes required months for full restoration, suggesting potential long-term disruption. The road closure is expected to significantly impact not only the daily commutes of residents but also the transport of goods and agricultural produce, potentially affecting the regional economy due to delays in market supply from San Fernando. This incident highlights the ongoing challenges with infrastructure vulnerability in the Philippines, particularly in its provincial areas, underscoring the need for enhanced disaster preparedness and mitigation measures.