A portion of the national highway in Barangay Ned, Lake Sebu, South Cotabato, remains impassable to all vehicles after landslides caused it to cave in, officials reported. Ned chairperson Allan Ikan Alam stated that heavy rains triggered the landslides, damaging a concrete road in Sitio El Dulog since Friday. The collapsed road is near a coal mining site, located about 150 meters from where coal-laden trucks travel to Maitum, Sarangani. Coal mining in Barangay Ned, operated by Daguma Agro Minerals, Inc. (DAMI), Sultan Energy Philippines Corp. (SEPC), and Bonanza Energy Resources, Inc. (BERI), began three years ago. San Miguel Corp. acquired these companies in 2010 but sold them to an undisclosed third party in 2024. Diocese of Marbel Bishop Cerilo Casicas expressed concern over the lack of accountability due to the unknown corporate owner. Alam noted that vehicles must detour through Barangay Gapok in Sultan Kudarat province to reach Ned’s barangay hall. An alternate road, passable only to motorcycles, has been opened but is steep and challenging. The Department of Public Works and Highways – Region 12 confirmed the road’s complete blockage as of February 13. Rolly Doane Aquino, South Cotabato Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office chief, stated that six families were affected and suggested coal mining may have contributed to soil instability. The Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Region 12 previously identified Barangay Ned as prone to landslides and tension cracks. Aquino plans to request MGB-12 officials to reassess the area. (Bong S. Sarmiento / MindaNews)
