Residents of 4 Benguet villages told to evacuate

TUBA, Benguet , Philippines  – Residents of at least four villages on the banks of the Bued River along Kennon Road here have been advised to evacuate, as mud has piled up, possibly triggering mudflows as rains continue.

Tuba councilor Ma. Luisa Carantes said at least eight families were earlier taken to a nearby school to prevent further loss of lives in the four barangays downstream of Camp 3.

Since Wednesday afternoon, local officials have been leading the evacuation, said Vice Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan.

At least nine residents in Camp 4 and Camp 2 Twinpeaks here were killed in mudslides at the height of typhoon “Pepeng.” 

At least 200 villagers were killed in mudslides in Benguet, perhaps the most hard-hit by Pepeng among the Cordillera provinces.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau has tagged Kennon Road among the geologically hazardous areas in the Cordillera region.