September 8, 2026 – After weeks of relentless rainfall, the Municipality of Itogon continues its response and relief operations for families affected by successive weather disturbances and the Southwest Monsoon.
Mayor Bernard S. Waclin, together with the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWDO) and the Provincial, Municipal, and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils, led efforts to assess the damage and address the immediate needs of affected communities across the municipality.
The joint assessment revealed varying degrees of damage to houses and the displacement of families across Itogon’s nine barangays, following the combined effects of the weather disturbances Luis, Maymay, Neneng, Obet, and Pilandok, as well as the enhanced Southwest Monsoon.
Based on the MSWDO report as of September 7, 2026, a total of 227 families, or 874 individuals, have been affected by the prolonged rains. Of this number, 68 families comprising 351 individuals voluntarily evacuated from their homes due to safety concerns. A total of 81 houses were also reported damaged.
Barangay Ampucao recorded 65 affected families, or 256 individuals, with five partially damaged houses. In Barangay Loacan, 47 families comprising 211 individuals were affected, with five houses totally damaged and 16 partially damaged.
Barangay Poblacion recorded 44 affected families, or 134 individuals, and two partially damaged houses. In Barangay Tuding, 26 families comprising 86 individuals were affected, with one house totally damaged and five partially damaged.
Barangay Gumatdang recorded 46 affected families, while Barangay Virac reported 16 affected families comprising 59 individuals and 13 partially damaged houses. In Barangay Ucab, 10 families or 40 individuals were affected, with seven houses totally damaged and 25 partially damaged.
Meanwhile, Barangay Tinongdan recorded four affected families comprising 13 individuals, while Barangay Dalupirip reported one affected family with seven individuals and one partially damaged house.
To address the immediate needs of affected residents, the MSWDO distributed Family Food Packs (FFPs) and hygiene kits to affected families. A total of 238 Family Food Packs were distributed across the nine barangays of Itogon.
Additional assistance was also extended by partner agencies and offices. The Provincial Local Government Unit (PLGU) distributed 200 packs of rice weighing five kilograms each to affected families. The Office of Civil Defense–Cordillera (OCD-CAR) provided non-food items (NFIs) and fuel assistance to support the municipality’s emergency response operations.
The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) also extended cash assistance to affected families, amounting to Php5,000 in Barangay Gumatdang, Php15,000 in Barangay Virac, Php5,000 in Barangay Tuding, and Php140,000 in Tolibeng, Loacan. The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) likewise provided non-food items to affected families in Tolibeng, Loacan.
Mayor Waclin expressed his gratitude to all agencies, offices, organizations, and individuals who extended assistance to affected families. He also thanked the residents of Itogon for their cooperation with government advisories and calls for voluntary evacuation in high-risk areas.
The municipality’s collective preparedness and cooperation contributed to the prevention of casualties, with zero casualties reported in relation to the heavy rains and successive weather disturbances. // Delmas, Padcayan; GIP
