PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, Palawan (PIA) — Some 13 local hikers were rescued by the Narra Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) and Municipal Tourism Office after they were stranded in Mt. Victoria due to heavy rains on Sunday, February 9.
Mountain guide Jeh Cervancia of the Municipal Tourism Office of Narra, Palawan said the hikers and their three guides started their three-day hike on Friday, February 7, and were expected to return by Sunday, February 9. However, the town has already experienced heavy rains since Saturday.
After encountering the flood at Arurogam Camp, the hikers chose to camp at a better site until it became more difficult for them to relocate.
“Kahapon (Sunday) dapat pero dahil di sila nakababa kahapon, nag-initiate na kami ng rescue ops. We always do that sa mga umaakyat lalo na at baha,” Cervancia said.
A shear line brought the heavy rains, causing flooding in Puerto Princesa City and the southern towns of Palawan, including Narra.
Mt. Victoria is the second highest mountain in Palawan, reaching an elevation of 1,726 meters above sea level (MaSL). It is one of the mountain climbing destinations in Palawan, along with Mt. Mantalingahan, the highest mountain in the province, towering at a height of 2,085 MaSL.
The hike usually lasts for three to four days depending on the pace of hikers. There are multiple river crossings on the route to the summit of Mount Victoria, which could overflow during periods of heavy rainfall.
To avoid the flood, the hikers chose to go off-trail, which left them exhausted before rescue.
“Well-oriented mga guides ng Victoria sa ganon way para umiwas sa baha,” he said.
Hiking at Mt. Victoria will resume as soon as the weather improves, Cervancia added. (RG/PIA MIMAROPA-Palawan/Photos courtesy of Jeh Cervancia)
