(A look back on the year that was in Mindanao, and Mindanawons in the national and international scene.)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (MindaNews / 04 January) — A portion of the highway in Quezon, Bukidnon that collapsed on October 18 and initially rendered the vital link between Southern and Northern Mindanao impassable to vehicles has led to economic losses amounting to ₱187 million a day, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) said in late November.
A husband and his wife on board a “bao-bao” vehicle were killed as they were thrown off when that part of the zigzag road in Sitio Kipolot, Barangay Palacapao, collapsed. Buried by the slide, their bodies were recovered two days later.
DEPDev 10 director Mylah Faye Aurora Cariño told reporters in Cagayan de Oro in late November that if the disruption of vehicular traffic would continue until December 31, economic losses would reach around ₱14.07 billion and ₱48.19 billion if the repair of the damaged portion is not completed by June 30, 2026.
“The more delay, the more losses we will have,” Cariño said.
The Bukidnon-Davao highway is a vital link between Southern and Northern Mindanao as the cities of Davao and Cagayan de Oro are major hubs for bus travel to other parts of Mindanao.
Cargo trucks also take this route to reach either city and from there proceed to their destinations.
A day after the road collapse, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPHW) immediately sent out advisories on alternative routes to take which took longer and cost more.
Commercial buses from Davao City or Cagayan de Oro could ferry passengers only until Palacapao where passengers would disembark and walk down or up a trail that was later cemented. Beside it, an access road opened for motorcycles was widened to allow light vehicles to pass.
Roshelle Novie Cabrido, DPWH 10 public information officer, said only small and light vehicles can pass through the small diversion road. Big container vans and trucks would have to use the alternative routes from San Fernando, Bukidnon to Talaingod or from Kabacan, North Cotabato to Digos City and Davao.
A study made by DEPDev Region 10 said these alternative routes, which could add 60-100 kilometers to the trips, means an additional ₱132 million in daily travel, fuel, and logistical costs to the truckers.
“The increased fuel and logistical costs are likely to drive up consumer prices,” Cariño said.
The DEPDev study also pointed out that local vegetable vendors and farmers will incur substantial losses due to double handling of their crops, payment to porters, and damage.
The study said the damage caused by the delay in transporting high-value vegetables like carrots and lettuce would cost around ₱55 million a day.
While the four-lane detour road that could accommodate buses and other large trucks was opened a few days ago, local officials said it was closed again early morning Sunday to finish the construction of a culvert across it. The DPWH, however, assured it will be opened by the second week of January.
(Froilan Gallardo / MindaNews)
