July 13, 2026 — Mayor Bernard S. Waclin has directed the Itogon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) to continuously remind small-scale mining groups to immediately suspend operations whenever it rains to protect the lives and safety of miners.
The mayor emphasized that mining activities become significantly more dangerous during rainfall due to the increased risk of landslides, tunnel collapses, and flooding. He urged miners to prioritize their safety over continuing operations during adverse weather conditions.
Mayor Waclin also appealed to parents and guardians to exercise their own discretion in deciding whether to send their children to school during periods of heavy rainfall, even if no official class suspension has been declared.
He noted that weather conditions vary across the municipality, with some barangays experiencing heavier rainfall and greater risks than others. Parents, being more familiar with the conditions in their respective communities, are in the best position to determine whether it is safe for their children to travel to and from school.
The mayor reiterated that public safety remains the local government’s highest priority and encouraged everyone to remain vigilant, monitor weather advisories, and cooperate with the guidance issued by the MDRRMC and other concerned agencies.
