179 Landslides in Just 12 Days: Why Roads Across the Cordillera Are Becoming a Growing Danger

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Cordillera is facing an alarming road-safety crisis as landslides continue to batter its mountainous road network, with 179 landslides recorded in the first 12 days of August—already surpassing the region’s historical average for the entire month.

The Department of Public Works and Highways–Cordillera Administrative Region (DPWH-CAR) reported that 186 road sections across the region had been affected by calamity-related damage as of 5 a.m. on August 12, 2026.

The damage came amid the combined effects of Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced Southwest Monsoon or Habagat, which have brought persistent rainfall and saturated mountain slopes across the Cordillera.

What makes the situation particularly concerning is the pace of the landslides.

According to DPWH-CAR, the 179 landslides recorded since the start of August have already exceeded the historical average of about 160 landslides recorded from 2015 to 2021.

Most of the reported landslides occurred in Benguet, where steep terrain and prolonged rainfall have repeatedly created dangerous conditions for motorists and communities.

13 road sections remain closed

The latest DPWH-CAR assessment showed that 13 road sections remained closed, including eight national roads.

Among the affected routes are:

• Kennon Road, which remains restricted to residents for access;
• Baguio-Itogon Road in Poblacion, Itogon, Benguet;
• Benguet-Nueva Vizcaya Road in Beckel, La Trinidad;
• Tawang-Ambiong Road in Ambiong, La Trinidad;
• Abatan-Mankayan-Cervantes Road in Tabio, Mankayan;
• Banaue-Hungduan-Benguet Boundary Road in Hapao, Hungduan;
• Banaue via Tanudan-Barlig Road in Dupligan, Tanudan; and
• Mt. Province-Ilocos Sur Road via Tue Road in Balaoa, Tadian.

The Gov. Bado Dangwa National Road in Ampusongan, Bakun was reported open only to light vehicles.

The closures underscore a recurring problem in the Cordillera: mountain roads can quickly become impassable when prolonged rain weakens slopes, triggers soil collapse and causes debris to spill onto roadways.

Damage bill climbs to P1.45 billion

The road damage is also translating into a massive infrastructure bill.

DPWH-CAR placed the initial cost of damage at approximately P1.455 billion, while about P2.771 billion would be needed for recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction of damaged roads.

The figures remain subject to assessment as engineers continue documenting affected infrastructure.

DPWH personnel are currently carrying out clearing operations, installing safety devices, assessing damage and preparing the necessary documentation for repair and funding requirements.

The scale of the current damage is significant, particularly because the Cordillera’s road network is vital to the movement of people, agricultural products, tourism, commerce and essential services between isolated and mountainous communities.

Why the landslide threat remains high

The latest road crisis is not happening in isolation.

PAGASA has continued to warn of rain over the Cordillera as the Southwest Monsoon remains active, with the weather bureau forecasting scattered rains and thunderstorms over the region. Moderate to occasionally heavy rainfall can trigger flash floods and landslides, particularly in mountainous areas.

Earlier PAGASA climate projections also indicated a 53% probability of above-normal rainfall in Baguio for August 2026, based on its February-issued probabilistic forecast.

That combination—steep terrain, saturated soil and continuing monsoon rainfall—means a road that has already been cleared may not necessarily be safe from another slope failure.

The Philippine News Agency has previously documented how recurring heavy rains and landslides have repeatedly disrupted major Cordillera routes, including Kennon Road, the Baguio-Bontoc Road and other important mountain corridors.

Kennon Road remains a major concern

Kennon Road, one of the principal gateways to Baguio City, is again among the routes affected by the latest conditions.

The road has a long history of closures caused by landslides and rockfalls. PNA reported in 2025 that portions of the route had remained vulnerable to rockfall and soil collapse, while motorists were advised to use alternative routes during dangerous conditions.

The recurring disruptions highlight the difficulty of maintaining major highways through steep and geologically vulnerable terrain.

The Baguio-Bontoc Road has faced similar challenges. In May 2026, DPWH began rehabilitation of a collapsed section in Barangay Caliking, Atok, Benguet, after the road had been damaged by successive typhoons in 2025. The agency also ordered the installation of early-warning devices to protect motorists during repairs.

DPWH urges motorists to think twice

With more landslides still possible, DPWH-CAR urged travelers to exercise extreme caution.

Engr. Patrick Cerilo of DPWH-CAR advised people to avoid unnecessary travel during hazardous conditions and to prepare adequately when travel is unavoidable.

The warning is particularly important in the Cordillera, where road users may encounter sudden landslides, falling rocks, fallen trees, mud and damaged pavement even after a route has been cleared.

For motorists, the message is straightforward: a road being temporarily passable does not automatically mean it is safe.

The bigger warning behind the numbers

The most troubling figure may not be the 186 affected road sections or even the P1.45-billion initial damage estimate.

It is the fact that 179 landslides had already been recorded by August 12—more than the historical average of around 160 for the period covered by DPWH’s 2015–2021 records.

And August was not yet over.

For a region where communities depend heavily on roads carved through steep mountain terrain, every additional rainfall event can bring another road closure, another damaged slope and another threat to motorists.

For now, DPWH crews continue clearing debris and assessing damage.

But with the Southwest Monsoon still capable of producing periods of heavy rain, the question confronting the Cordillera is no longer simply how quickly damaged roads can be repaired.

It is whether the next landslide will strike a road that has already been cleared—or one that thousands of travelers are using.