Manila North Road in Pagudpud impassable due to major landslides

LANDSLIDES and rockslides hit the Manila North Road at Pancian village in Pagudpud town, Ilocos Norte hampering mobility among travelers. (Photo courtesy of the DPWH-Ilocos)

By John Michael Mugas 

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte—A portion of a national highway in Pagudpud town in Ilocos Norte province has been closed to motorists on Sunday, Dec. 3, due to “major” landslides, the regional Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) said.
In an advisory, the DPWH said that a part of the Manila North Road traversing Pancian village has been “closed to traffic due to major slides” after the town has been experiencing intermittent rainy conditions this week.
    The provincial government said in a separate advisory on Sunday that the “continuous landslide and falling of rocks” caused the portion of the road to be not passable to “all types of vehicles.”
    Pancian village chairperson Jessie Lagundino, in a radio interview, said that the series of landslides spanned at least 15 meters.
    Clearing operations were still ongoing, the DPWH said.
    The Manila North Road is a major access point to most parts of Cagayan Valley and the Ilocos region.

This portion of the national highway often faces road closures due to rock and landslides especially in times of inclement weather.

In January, a government proposal was floated that a second viaduct could be constructed in the area to ease the worries of travelers and to ensure their safety while traveling the portion as well.