One Lane Reopened on Buug–Bayog Road; Governor Hofer Welcomes Restoration of Access
IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay — One lane of the landslide-hit Buug–Bayog Road in Barangay Talairan, Buug has been reopened to vehicular traffic after the Provincial Government of Zamboanga Sibugay, upon the directive of Governor Ann K. Hofer, deployed heavy equipment and emergency resources to help clear the massive landslide that blocked the national highway.
The emergency response was initiated after the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) of Buug sought assistance when the road became completely impassable after continuous heavy rains brought by Typhoon Inday triggered a landslide that buried the highway with tons of soil, rocks, and debris.
Acting on Governor Hofer's instructions, the Provincial Government dispatched a backhoe loader and a dump truck to augment the clearing operations. It also provided fuel assistance after the Municipality of Buug reportedly exhausted its diesel supply needed for emergency response operations.
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Following sustained clearing efforts, the MDRRMO of Buug gave the go signal to allow motorists to pass through the affected highway using a one-lane traffic scheme, easing the growing number of vehicles that had been stranded on both sides of the landslide area.
Governor Hofer welcomed the partial reopening of the highway, expressing satisfaction that motorists can once again pass through the critical road link after hours of intensive clearing operations. She also commended the swift response and coordination among the Provincial Government, municipal officials, disaster responders, and road-clearing teams, while emphasizing that efforts will continue until the entire highway is fully cleared and safe for unrestricted travel.
Meanwhile, the PDRRMO said clearing operations remain ongoing, with heavy equipment continuing to remove the remaining debris and stabilize the affected slope to ensure the long-term safety of motorists.
Authorities continue to advise motorists to exercise extra caution, follow the instructions of traffic personnel managing the one-lane flow, and expect intermittent delays while road-clearing and safety assessment activities continue.
