BAGUIO CITY — Motorists heading to or from Baguio City via the Baguio-Bauang Road, also known as Naguilian Road, are being urged to exercise extreme caution as authorities continue to deal with a damaged and sinking portion of the highway in Barangay Banangan, Sablan, Benguet.
The warning comes after continuous heavy rains associated with Tropical Cyclones Luis and Maymay and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat, caused further damage to roads across the Cordillera.
According to the Philippine Information Agency, a portion of the Baguio-Bauang Road near the affected sinking area was temporarily closed after a landslide. Clearing operations by the Department of Public Works and Highways-Cordillera allowed traffic to resume on one lane at around 9 p.m. the same day.
Low-clearance vehicles face particular risk
The most important warning for motorists is at the sinking section in Barangay Banangan.
As of the August 12 advisory cited by the Sablan Municipal Police Station, the road was one-lane passable, but authorities said the affected portion was not advisable for low-clearance vehicles.
Larger vehicles, including trucks, were also advised to avoid the area because their passage could contribute to further damage.
High-clearance vehicles that need to use the route are being told to proceed with extreme caution, while motorists using smaller or low-clearance vehicles are encouraged to consider the Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual Road as an alternative.
Why the warning matters
The Baguio-Bauang Road is one of the major access routes to Baguio. Any restriction along the highway can quickly affect commuters, tourists, delivery vehicles and residents traveling between Baguio and La Union.
The road situation is also part of a broader weather-related transportation problem in Benguet.
A Daily Tribune report on August 4 said several Benguet roads had been closed or restricted to one lane because of landslides, rockfalls and weather-related damage. At that time, the Baguio-Bauang Road remained open and fully passable, while other routes—including portions of the Baguio-Bontoc Road, Marcos Highway and Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual Road—were operating under restrictions.
Kennon Road, meanwhile, was temporarily closed to non-residents because of the continuing risk of slope failure, rockfalls and landslides.
More recent road updates indicate that authorities have continued clearing and monitoring operations along the Baguio-Bauang corridor after landslide activity. A DPWH-Cordillera update dated August 8 reported that a landslide had been cleared and the road was again open to traffic, underscoring that “open” does not necessarily mean risk-free, particularly when rain continues to affect mountain roads.
Authorities continue road rehabilitation
The DPWH 1st Benguet District Engineering Office continues to implement engineering and rehabilitation measures in the affected area to keep the road open while reducing the possibility of further disruption.
Authorities are also asking motorists and residents to cooperate with traffic-management measures and follow instructions from personnel deployed along the affected sections.
For drivers, the message is straightforward: slow down, avoid unnecessary risks and do not attempt to force passage through an unsafe section simply because the road remains technically open.
Mountain roads can change quickly during prolonged rainfall. Landslides, falling debris, road slips and unstable shoulders can develop with little warning.
What motorists should remember
- Check the latest DPWH-CAR and local government road advisories before leaving.
- Approach the Banangan sinking area slowly.
- Avoid the affected section if driving a low-clearance vehicle.
- Trucks and other large vehicles should follow authorities’ restrictions.
- Keep a safe distance from other vehicles.
- Do not stop unnecessarily near slopes or areas showing signs of instability.
- Follow traffic personnel and temporary road signs.
- Consider the Asin-Nangalisan-San Pascual Road when appropriate.
The Baguio-Bauang Road remains a critical link for travelers, but the latest warnings make one thing clear: road accessibility can change quickly when heavy rain meets already vulnerable mountain terrain.
For travelers planning a Baguio trip, checking the latest road status immediately before departure may be just as important as checking the weather.
The road may be open—but the bigger question is whether conditions will stay that way.
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