Kalinga joins search for missing Sagada teen; LGUs urged to watch Chico River

TABUK CITY, Kalinga — The Provincial Government of Kalinga has joined the search for a 17-year-old woman from Sagada, Mountain Province, who has been missing since August 8, with Governor James S. Edduba directing local disaster response units to extend assistance through the province’s Binnadang initiative.

The missing teenager was identified as Sofia Isabela Magalgalit Oria, a resident of Barangay Demang, Sagada. She was reportedly last seen at around 7 p.m. on August 8, 2026, and was reported missing at approximately 1 a.m. on August 9.

Search operations have been conducted since her disappearance, but authorities have yet to locate Oria.

Authorities are considering the possibility that she may have been carried by water currents, prompting Kalinga to expand monitoring along waterways connected to the Chico River.

Governor Edduba instructed the Kalinga Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) to coordinate with Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (MDRRMCs) across the province and mobilize them to assist in the search.

He also called on concerned local government units, barangay officials, Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committees (BDRRMCs), and local response teams to maintain vigilant monitoring within their respective areas, particularly along the Chico River and other waterways.

The governor likewise appealed to the public to immediately report any information or possible sighting of the missing teenager to concerned authorities or the Kalinga PDRRMO Operations Center (OpCen).

The province formally issued PDRRMC Memorandum Order No. 407, series of 2026, dated August 12, directing concerned local officials to undertake river watch and monitoring activities.

The PDRRMC subsequently directed concerned LGUs to focus their monitoring efforts along the Chico River.

“In view hereof, all concerned Local Government Units (LGUs) are hereby directed to undertake monitoring activities within their respective areas of responsibility, particularly along the Chico River, where the missing individual may have potentially been carried by the water currents,” the memorandum states.

Barangay officials, BDRRMCs, and local response teams were likewise instructed to coordinate closely and remain vigilant along waterways.

The memorandum further directs responders to immediately relay any relevant information, possible sighting, or incident to authorities and the PDRRMC Emergency Operations Center (EOC). The directive took effect immediately upon issuance and will remain in force until lifted.

The search reflects Kalinga’s Binnadang approach—mobilizing communities, local governments, disaster response teams, and concerned agencies to extend assistance during emergencies and help neighboring communities in times of need.

As of writing, search efforts continue, with authorities urging residents living near rivers and waterways to remain alert and immediately report any information that may help determine Oria’s whereabouts. Every piece of information could help bring the missing teenager home.