Benguet: Proactive cleanup drives and strong community cooperation spared Benguet and Baguio City from widespread flooding during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan (international name Fung-Wong), local officials said Thursday.
According to Philippines News Agency, La Trinidad Mayor Roderick Awingan stated that massive pre-storm clearing and desilting operations were crucial in preventing floodwaters from rising in low-lying areas of the town, which was placed under Signal No. 4 at the height of the typhoon. Awingan emphasized the benefits of preparation, noting that cleaning and clearing waterways prevented blockages that could have caused flooding.
The mayor credited the success to a ‘binnadang’ (community helping hand) activity held on Nov. 8. During this event, residents, businesses, and local government employees collaborated to clean canals, creeks, and other drainage systems. Additionally, strawberry and lettuce growers conducted early harvests to minimize potential crop losses and preserve the town’s signature strawberry-picking tourism activities. Awingan expressed gratitude that no flooding occurred in the strawberry farms or Bolo Creek, attributing this success to community cooperation.
In neighboring Baguio City, Mayor Benjamin Magalong also acknowledged the residents for maintaining cleanliness and proper waste disposal before and during the typhoon. Unlike previous incidents, there was no threat of flooding during Uwan, which Magalong attributed to the minimal amount of trash removed from City Camp Lagoon. The mayor highlighted the city’s long-term campaign for clean waterways, flood prevention, and sustainable waste management, emphasizing its importance in building a more resilient and disaster-ready Baguio.
Despite the successes in Benguet and Baguio, the Cordillera Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC) reported 19 fatalities across the region due to Uwan: Ifugao (10), Kalinga (4), Benguet (3), and Mountain Province (2). Two individuals remain missing, while 32 others were injured, with nine still recovering in medical facilities.
The Department of Health (DOH) – Cordillera noted that one hospital, three health service units, and 13 barangay health centers sustained damage, with one no longer functional. DOH-Cordillera official Jethro Simeon stated that field teams are working to quickly validate and estimate costs for inclusion in the agency’s 2026 Health Facility Enhancement Fund, emphasizing the need for expedited assessments to prioritize repairs.
