Dubbed as one of the most dangerous roads in the Philippines, Halsema - Enrile highway could be an entrance to the many facets of the Cordilleran sky or to the dark abyss of death when the alertness of the mind is misplaced in the physical body.
Nevertheless, this serpentine road connecting the three provinces of the Cordillera namely Benguet, Mountain Province, and Kalinga is in "hot seat" every time natural forces hit the area. For this month alone, the Halsema-Enrile highway was battered with the after effect of the earthquake that rocked the region on July 27 of this year. Numerous landslide occured every now and then with the Mt. Data Cliff taking the biggest blow, when the gigantic rock landed on its platter.
Hence, It is heavily monitored as the journey is unpredictable. Once, a portion or portions of the road cave in, it causes total stoppage of commercial and local trips that lasts for hours or days.
The video below captured by a netizen at sitio Makutiti, Poblacion, Sadanga today (August 19, 2022) shows one of death-defying circumstances, a traveler encounters while traversing this road. The soil above suddenly collapsed, and blocked the whole part of the road causing a total stoppage of vehicles.
It is said that most of the travelers going to Kalinga went back to Bontoc, while Isadanga commuters climb the safe side of the mountains going home.
The topographical feature and location of the Halsema-Enrile highway enormously contribute to its dangerous outlook. It was technically carved by man on the top and sides of the high, rocky, and sometimes loose chains of mountains, making it vulnerable for landslides and fallen rock debris and boulders.
There are some parts of the road that is suspended midair clinging at the mercy of big rocks securely protruding on high cliffs which could potentially shutter when earthquake shakes the ground. Also, there are some parts of the road that is sinking. Either way, these situations leave the soft-hearted individual shudder in fear.
No matter how enchanting this road is, once travelers are caught by fortuitous situation along this road, it is only the sheer presence of the Almighty that could snatched them from death, nothing else.
