MGB-7: Cordon off landslide area

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau recommended to cordon off the landslide affected area in Barangay Mayana, Naga City.

MGB-7 director Loreto Alburo recommended the immediate putting up of adequate barbwire fence to prevent people from going there because it is very dangerous.

The agency also recommended deployment of barangay tanods near the perimeter fence, provision of appropriate signage on the hazards of the area, construction of access road by relocating the existing one as it is highly dangerous being situated within the landslide affected area, and evacuation of families to safer areas.

The MGB has sent Senior Science Research Specialist Abraham Lucero Jr. to conduct field investigation in Sitio Buli, Barangay Mayana.

Based on the landslide and flood susceptibility map of MGB, the area where the landslide occurred was rated as high. It was also discovered that sometime in 1984, a landslide occurred in Barangay Mayana proper near the Mayana Elementary School, but no damage was reported during that time. The incident was attributed to the combination of several factors such as heavy rainfall, type of soil that is mostly limestone and mudstone, coralline, and poorly bedded and an old landslide area.

The City Government of Naga has already warned the residents of Mayana to stay away from the area because of the reported unstable condition of the two mountains because of the heavy rains.

"Naa na puy movement sa usa ka bukid, wa naman tay mahimo ana except sa pag-monitor ug i-vacate nalang gyud ang area," said Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong.

He however said that all residents in the affected area have already been evacuated. Chiong said some of them are temporarily staying in the barangay hall while the others opted to stay with their relatives.

Chiong said at least P1 million worth of properties were damaged from that landslide which covered 12 houses, a covered court, a portion of a road and power lines. He said however each family will receive a P10,000 cash assistance from the city government. There are 12 affected families.

The Cebu Provincial Government also sent yesterday immediate assistance to the affected families. Provincial Social Welfare officer Marivic Garces said they have sent food provisions to Mayana because it is the immediate need of the affected residents.

She said housing materials and financial assistance will follow.

The barangay was already declared under state of calamity in which Governor Gwendolyn Garcia said "will give Capitol more reasons to access calamity fund."   Although, she said that Capitol has enough funds under the social welfare office.

Garcia urged local government units to adopt mitigating measures and to call on residents not to live in high risk areas

Garcia also assured of her continued support to LGUs that will move for relocation of their constituents from high risk areas. - Mellanie C. Rosales, Liv G. Campo and Gregg M. Rubio/FPL (FREEMAN)