Hiking Activities In Kibungan Suspended Until Further Notice

Due to the incessant heavy rains, the municipality of Kibungan has decided to suspend until further notice all types of hiking activities within the town. The town issued an order dated August 23 citing weather disturbances, unstable roads, and unsafe mountain trails as the reasons behind the suspension order.

Kibungan is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the country for outdoors men looking for more challenging climbs. In particular, the traverse across Tacadang will take hikers through several mountain peaks including Mt. Tagpaya, Mt. Oten, and Mt. Tagpew. Your body has to be properly conditioned to complete the long traverse.

Below is a transcript of the suspension order issued by the municipality. Please be guided accordingly.

Photo credit: Sanggala Mountaineers

Prescribing the Suspension of Mountain Climbing and Trekking in the Municipality of Kibungan

Whereas, it is declared the policy of the state yo uphold the people's constitutional rights to life, health, safety and property and to promote the general welfare of its people at all times, especially during disasters and calamities;

Whereas, the state is further mandated to institutionalize the policies, structures, coordination mechanism and programs on disaster risk reduction from National down to Local levels;

Whereas, the Municipality has been experiencing continuous rains from August 10, 2018 to present due to Enhanced Southwest Monsoon (Habagat);

Whereas, Cordillera Weather Bulletin as of August 23, 2018, 11:00 A.M. Tropical Depression Luis entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility and is forecast to enhance the southwest monsoon, bringing moderate to heavy rains in CAR starting August 24; and

Whereas, due to the weather disturbances, roads are under close/open situation and foot trails have become unsafe.

Now, therefore, I, Cesar M. Molitas, Municipal Mayor of Kibungan, Benguet, by the power vested upon me by law, do hereby order the suspension of mountain climbing/trekking activities within Kibungan until further notice,

Issued this 23rd day of August 2018 at Kibungan, Benguet, Philippines.

Thousands Of Marijuana Plants Destroyed During An Eradication Drive In Kibungan, Benguet

On February 2, law enforcement units in the town of Kibungan in Benguet conducted another round of their ongoing marijuana eradication drive. Many of the plantation sites they raided were located in Amlawa, a sitio of barangay Badeo in Kibungan. They uprooted thousands of the illegal plants that are worth hundreds of thousands of pesos.

It can be recalled that just last month, an eradication operation held in the same town yielded illegal drugs worth 66.2 million pesos. A joint operation by the Kibungan Municipal Police Station, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Cordillera (PDEA), and the Regional Public Safety Battalion in barangay Tacadang led to the seizure and destruction of stalks, bricks, leaves, seeds, and seedlings of the prohibited plant. Also destroyed were jacks, weighing scales, and molders that were found in a drying and manufacturing site.

Below are images from the recent eradication drive held last February 2. All photos courtesy of the Kibungan Municipal Police Station (KMPS).

Post by Kibungan Mps.