THE FIVE-DAY search operation at the Sitio Kipolot landslide site concluded on Thursday morning with the recovery of the couple’s bodies, who were buried when a portion of the Bukidnon–Davao Road collapsed on Oct. 18, 2025.
At 9:31 a.m. on Oct. 23, 2025, search and rescue teams retrieved the bodies of the victims, identified as Ely and Thelma, according to the report of the Municipality of Quezon, Bukidnon.
SAR dogs key to retrieval
The Municipality of Quezon deployed three search-and-rescue dogs named Venom, Bella, and Paul, provided by the 403rd Infantry Brigade and the 10th Infantry Division.
These specialized units, along with heavy excavation equipment, were instrumental in pinpointing the location within the collapsed earth.
The Municipal Public Safety Office-MDRRMO acknowledged the extensive cooperation that led to the retrieval, extending immense gratitude to all participating agencies, including Governor Oneil Roque and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) led by Officer Johan Damasco, the 403rd Brigade and the 10th Infantry Division, the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office (BukPPO) under Colonel Jovit Culaway, and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) teams from neighboring areas, including Valencia City, Dangcagan, Kalilangan, Kadingilan, Damulog, and Maramag.
For now, the focus shifted from retrieval to the long-term task of reconstruction, which the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) recently confirmed could take up to five years to fully complete.
Bukidnon-Davao road faces 5-year restoration
The vital Bukidnon–Davao Road, severed by a massive landslide in Sitio Kipolot, Quezon, Bukidnon, is facing a grim five-year timeline for full restoration, officials confirmed this week.
While the road is a critical lifeline for trade and travel between the two regions, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is prioritizing a much-needed temporary solution, aiming to open a two-lane diversion within the next five to six months.
In a recent interview with 102.5 Brigada News FM , Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon Governor Rogelio Neil Roque shared crucial updates on the restoration efforts led by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The agency’s plan focuses on two key phases: temporary reconnection (6 Months):
The DPWH plans to construct a temporary two-lane passage within five to six months. This critical diversion will swiftly reconnect Bukidnon and Davao while prioritizing commuter safety.
The full restoration of the affected slope is projected to take up to five years.
Reconstruction presents a profound challenge due to the terrain’s unstable soil and lack of rock foundation.
Site inspection and commitment
The commitment to repair was reaffirmed on Tuesday when
DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon, along with OIC-Undersecretary Lara Marisse Esquibil, visited the site despite heavy rains. They were joined by Governor Roque, Quezon Mayor Pablo “Poling” Lorenzo III, and DPWH regional director Lilibeth Aparecio.
The officials assessed the damage firsthand and committed to a safe, long-term solution. Dizon also committed to finishing the reconstruction within their self-imposed deadline. Meanwhile, the DPWH will also continue coordination with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) under the DENR to ensure all rehabilitation plans strictly adhere to stringent geological safety standards.
