[Two homeowners in Sitio Tapsan, Ampucao have agreed to allow the demolition of their houses to give way to the rehabilitation and widening of a road affected by a massive landslide brought about by heavy southwest monsoon rains.]
September 16, 2026 – The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Cordillera, in coordination with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Itogon and Barangay Local Government Unit (BLGU) of Ampucao, conducted a cash assistance payout for households affected by the southwest monsoon rains at the Ampucao Barangay Hall.
Among the areas severely affected by the prolonged heavy rains is Sitio Tapsan in Ampucao, where a massive landslide damaged and narrowed a portion of the road, rendering it impassable and restricting access to residents of Sitios Tapsan, Mawini, Lab-ang, Matae, Tapaya, and Piake.
Two houses located adjacent to the landslide have been declared unsafe due to their proximity to the affected area. The Itogon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Engr. Cyril Batcagan, together with concerned government agencies, identified the need to demolish the two structures to allow the widening and reconstruction of the road and restore access to the affected communities.
The owners of the two houses, Mercy Seting and Pearlyn Lictag, agreed to allow the government to demolish the structures once road repair and reconstruction works begin.
Lictag expressed her sadness over the damage caused by the landslide but also expressed appreciation for the assistance extended by the government.
“Marikna mi ti tulong ti gobyerno. Agtitinulong tayo tapno maipaay tayo ti kasapulan ti umili,” she said.
Mayor Bernard S. Waclin also expressed his gratitude to the two homeowners for their cooperation and willingness to give way to the road rehabilitation.
“Dakkel nga iyaman kadagiti dua nga agbalay, ta intulok da a madadael dagiti balay da tapno laeng adda ti pagnaan,” Mayor Waclin said.
He added that the local government is working to expedite the rehabilitation of the road to restore access to the affected communities.
“Ipaspas tayo nga maisimpa daytoy dalan tapno makadalan dagiti taga-Tapaya ken Lab-ang,” he said.
The two houses in Tapsan are among the seven houses in Barangay Ampucao that have been declared totally damaged or unsafe for occupancy. The affected households received P10,000 in Cash Relief Assistance (CRA) from DSWD CAR. In addition DSWD will provide temporary rental assistance to displaced families through a three-month contract that may be renewed for another three months under the Pag-Abot Program.
A DSWD CAR representative clarified that the Pag-Abot assistance is intended only as temporary support while affected families work toward rebuilding or securing their homes.
Meanwhile, 35 partially damaged houses in Ampucao received P5,000 in cash assistance.
Ampucao Punong Barangay Freddie Altiga expressed gratitude to the DSWD and LGU Itogon for the assistance extended to affected residents. He said that while calamities cannot be prevented, the community can reduce their impact through preparedness and compliance with safety advisories. He also noted that no casualties were, citing the observance of preemptive evacuation measures.
Municipal Social Welfare and Development Officer Atty. Johnny Bumakil said the assistance reflects the government’s efforts to bring support closer to affected residents. He clarified, however, that not all affected households may receive assistance due to limited resources, requiring prioritization based on established criteria.
During the payout, additional assistance was also distributed to Ampucao residents through the DSWD UPLIFT Program. Beneficiaries received P2,000 as the second tranche of six intended to provide support amid the ongoing fuel crisis.
Atty. Bumakil said the distribution of assistance demonstrates the continuing efforts of the government to support families affected by emergencies and other challenges.
