WATCH: Palace condoles with Cebu landslide victims

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Thursday expressed sympathy to the victims of the landslide in Naga City, Cebu.

“Nakikiramay po kami sa mga naging biktima sa landslide sa Naga City,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

At least 12 bodies were recovered from the landslide which occurred near a quarry site that the city had issued a cease-and-desist order against in August. Dozens of residents are also believed to be trapped in the area.

A report from The Freeman said the massive landslide buried over 20 houses in the city.

The tragic landslide occurred after intense rainfall enhanced by the southwest monsoon or "habagat."

Roque vowed that the government would do its part to avoid another landslide.

“Lahat ngagawin ng gobyerno para maibsan ang dalamhati na nadarama ng mga biktima at maiwasan ang mga ganitong pangyayari sa mga daraing pang panahon,” Roque said.

Over the weekend, a massive landslide also occurred in a mining site in Itogon, Benguet killing over 20 people.

Search, rescue and retrieval operations are both being conducted in Benguet and Cebu.