(Photo courtesy of Norman Patricio)
TACLOBAN CITY – A primary highway in Southern Leyte remains closed due to a major landslide in Sogod town, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said on Monday(Feb.28).
In an advisory, the DPWH said the landslide occurred past 10 a.m. on Sunday in Pancho Villa village in Sogod town. The estimated 144 cubic meters of rocks and soil blocked the highway considered as a shorter route for Mindanao-bound motorists.
“Clearing operations are ongoing with the joint efforts of DPWH Southern Leyte district engineering office quick response team and the contractor working on a certain project within the affected area. The said road will remain temporarily closed until further notice as soil erosion is still active due to the continuous rainfall in the area,” the DPWH said.
Motorists are advised to take the Tacloban-Baybay-Bato-Bontoc route for those heading to Sogod and Liloan towns. If going to Maasin City or Sogod town, motorists were told to take the Tacloban-Baybay South road.
Those travelling to Panaon Island and the Pacific towns in Southern Leyte, the DPWH recommends to take Tacloban – Mahaplag – Baybay – Bato – Bontoc – Sogod – Daang Maharlika – Liloan – San Ricardo road route and Abuyog-Silago road.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) ranked Southern Leyte province as the seventh most vulnerable to heavy landslides in the Philippines.
Based on MGB’s geo-hazard mapping and assessment, the province recorded a 78-percent landslide probability.
(SARWELL Q. MENIANO/PR)
