Flash floods have hit several regions across the country, leaving areas in Banaue under rivers of mud, casting boulders down highways in Cebu province, and submerging farmland and roads in Camarines Sur.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) advised tourists to temporarily suspend travel to Banaue after a series of mudslides and flash floods brought about by non-stop rains occurred over the week.
In a statement, the DOT said it would closely monitor developments in the vicinity and coordinate with the affected local government units and tourism stakeholders.
“Tourists are advised to temporarily suspend travel to Banaue while clearing and cleaning operations are ongoing,” it added.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco spoke to Banaue Mayor Joel Bungallon on Friday to offer immediate aid to stranded tourists and any other assistance they may need.
The department learned that a few of the 55 tourists who were initially reported stranded remain in their accommodation establishments.
“Coordination was also done with DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development) for relief assistance,” the DOT said.
A series of torrential rains over Cebu triggered another landslide in Barangay Hagdan, Oslob town on Saturday. The Bureau of Fire Protection reported that big boulders were seen falling onto the main highway around 9 a.m.
The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) has also placed the city under “blue” alert to prepare for the possible effects of persistent rains. This means all personnel will be on standby for any untoward incident.
The city is bracing for another round of heavy rains that could bring floods after the state weather bureau said the low-pressure area hovering over Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur will affect the Visayas region.
In the past three days, CCDRRMO logged 23 flooded areas in Cebu City, with three involving a rescue operation. Three landslides were also monitored in the city.
Some areas in the town of Baao, Camarines Sur were also inundated by heavy rains on Saturday afternoon.
In a video taken by Kim Kelma Pelencia-Bayra at 3:05 p.m., floodwaters with mud from the nearby hills crossed the national highway at barangays Sta. Teresita and San Isidro, causing a snarl of traffic.
Baao’s other barangays such as San Ramon, Del Rosario, San Nicolas, San Jose and San Francisco, which are all on low-lying areas, were not spared with waist-high waters, an ABS-CBN report added.
Despite this, Baao deputy police chief Jose Ablan II said their roads were passable for all kinds of vehicles.