Search continues for missing couple in Bukidnon road collapse
QUEZON, BUKIDNON—Search and retrieval operations continued on Sunday for a missing couple who were swept into a deep ravine when a massive landslide led to a collapse of a section of the Bukidnon–Davao road in Sitio Kipolot, Barangay Palacapao here.
The area is popularly known to tourists and travelers as “Overview” for the viewing decks established along the stretch of zigzag turns.
Authorities identified the missing couple as Ely and Thelma Ubatay, residents of Purok 9, Barangay Kahusayan, Kitaotao town, Bukidnon.
They were reportedly on their way home aboard their tricycle, locally known as “bao-bao,” when the road gave way at 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, sending their vehicle plunging into the ravine.
Quezon Mayor Pablo Lorenzo III, who personally inspected the site on Sunday, said search operations were temporarily halted on Saturday night due to darkness and safety concerns but resumed early on Sunday morning.
Reinforcements from the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) and responders from Valencia City, Maramag and nearby towns joined the retrieval and clearing efforts.
Heavy disruption
Lorenzo expressed deep concern over the landslide’s significant impact on mobility and commerce.
“The economy is going to be affected, especially the movement of people and goods,” he said.
“The highway is cut off, and although there are temporary adjustments, the supply chain—especially goods bound for Davao and vice versa—is heavily disrupted,” he added.
He said that the local government is coordinating with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for possible solutions, including the construction of a temporary access road.
“Unless DPWH can find a way through here, maybe a temporary road can be made. Until then, we’re left waiting. There’s actually a possible diversion road, but that’s up to DPWH to decide,” Lorenzo pointed out.
According to the mayor, the affected section had previously undergone costly repairs.
“You can see how big the damage is. The slope gave way, apparently due to water seepage underneath. (But) we’ll wait for the engineers’ full assessment,” he noted.
Lorenzo also confirmed that several other barangays in Quezon reported smaller landslides following heavy rainfall the night before.
“Probably the water accumulated in certain areas, causing soil movement. This one, however, is the most serious so far,” he said.
Lengthy alternatives
The landslide has rendered the national highway, known as the Buda (for Bukidnon-Davao) road, impassable to all types of vehicles, forcing motorists to take lengthy alternate routes.
The road is a vital link between the Northern Mindanao and Davao regions. Goods from the Davao region intended for export to Southeast Asia and China pass through here and on to the Mindanao Container Terminal in Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental or the Cagayan de Oro port.
In a travel advisory, the DPWH said those bound for Davao City coming from Cagayan de Oro City or Bukidnon may take the highway from Valencia City to Tagum City and on to Davao City, passing through the towns of San Fernando (Bukidnon) and Talaingod and Kapalong (Davao del Norte), although this adds some 60 kilometers to the travel length.
Instead of entering Quezon town, another route is the highway from the junction of Camp 1 in Maramag, Bukidnon, to Kabacan, Cotabato and on to Davao City. This adds some 90 km to the length of travel.
The route to Tagum City is advised for light vehicles, while trucks are advised to take the route via Cotabato province. —WITH A REPORT FROM RYAN ROSAURO
