Eight National Roads Closed Due to Habagat Effects
MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) announced on Thursday that eight national roads have been closed due to the severe impact of recent cyclones and the southwest monsoon, locally called the habagat. These closures are part of ongoing efforts to ensure public safety amid challenging weather conditions.
According to travel advisories released Thursday morning, three of the closed road sections are in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). Two are located in Central Luzon, another two in Calabarzon (covering Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, and Quezon), and one in the Ilocos Region.
List of Closed Roads as of Thursday Morning
The DPWH detailed the specific locations where traffic is prohibited starting at 6 a.m. Thursday:
1. Kennon Road in Tuba, Benguet, including Camp 6 Bridge and two nearby points in Sitio Camp 6, Barangay Camp 4.
2. Apayao (Calanasan)-Ilocos Norte Detour Road at Annaran Bridge over Madagudug River in Butao, Calanasan, Apayao.
3. Baguio-Itogon Road in Sitio Goldfield, Barangay Poblacion, Itogon, Benguet.
4. Cervantes–Quirino Road in Barangay Poblacion, Quirino, Ilocos Sur.
5. Baliwag-Candaba-Sta Ana Road in Barangays San Agustin and Paligui, Candaba, Pampanga.
6. Candaba-San Miguel Road in Barangay Paralaya, Candaba, Pampanga.
7. Diokno Highway in Barangay Tamayo, Calaca, Batangas.
8. Talisay-Laurel-Agoncillo Road at Bugaan Detour, Laurel, Batangas.
The DPWH cited causes such as high water levels, debris accumulation on bridge decks, soil collapses, flooding, and damaged roadways as reasons for these closures.
Partial Access on Fourteen Other National Roads
In addition to the fully closed roads, 14 national road sections remain partially accessible. These areas face issues like road cuts, washed-out detours, landslides, flooding, and precautionary closures. Five of these are in Central Luzon, four in the Cordillera Administrative Region, two in the Ilocos Region, and one each in Calabarzon, the Negros Island Region, and the Zamboanga Peninsula.
Some affected routes include:
– Claveria-Calanasan-Kabugao Road in Barangay Ninoy, Calanasan, Apayao.
– Baguio-Bontoc Road in Caliking, Atok, Benguet.
– Mt. Province–Isabela Road detour in Sinigpit, Paracelis, Mountain Province.
– Junction roads in Talubin-Barlig-Natonin-Paracelis-Calaccad, Pataga, Paracelis.
– Various sections of Urdaneta Junction–Dagupan–Lingayen Road in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.
– Multiple stretches of Apalit–Macabebe–Masantol Road and Manila North Road in Pampanga.
– Sto. Tomas–Minalin Road sections in Pampanga.
– Amungan-Palauig-Banlog Road in Barangay Bato, Palauig, Zambales.
– Calamba–Sta. Cruz–Famy Junction Road in Laguna.
– Bayawan–Mabinay Road in Bais City, Negros Oriental.
– Zamboanga West Coastal Road in Pangian, Sibuco, Zamboanga Del Norte.
Despite these challenges, the DPWH assured that all other national roads and bridges in the affected regions remain passable for all vehicle types as of the reported date and time.
Weather Update and Impact
The Philippines recently endured the onslaught of Tropical Cyclones Crising (international name: Wipha), Dante (Francisco), and Emong (Co-May), accompanied by the persistent southwest monsoon. These weather events have tragically resulted in 37 reported fatalities as of Thursday.
Improved weather conditions are expected in Metro Manila, the Bicol Region, Calabarzon, and Mimaropa (including Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan) today. However, other areas in Luzon, along with parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, may still experience rain showers due to lingering effects of the habagat.
For more news and updates on DPWH road closures and weather conditions, visit Filipinokami.com.
