Naga residents told to clear hazard area

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 7 recommended the evacuation of families and the installation of appropriate signage on hazards in sitio Tayad-tayad, barangay Cantao-an, Naga.

This shall be a precautionary measure to prevent another untoward incident after two houses owned by Remegia Ubas and Cipriano Hermeda were severely damaged last Wednesday due to a landslide.

MGB-7 ordered close monitoring on the progress of mass movement or appearance of large-tension cracks that may result to another landslide in the area.

MGB-7 Director Loreto Alburo sent chief geologist Al Emil Berador and Senior Science Research Specialist (geologist) Abraham Lucero Jr. on last Thursday to conduct a field investigation on the reported landslide.

These recommendations were already submitted to the barangay for immediate implementation.

MGB said that the incident was attributed to a combination of several factors such as heavy rainfall, the type of soil being mostly bentonitic tuff characterized as typically porous and poorly bedded which has high absorptive capacity.

Berador said the landslide incident occurred in three portions within Sitio Tayad-tayad where two houses mostly made of light materials were severely affected with an aggregate damaged area of nearly one hectare.

Prior to the incident, MGB-7 provided a copy of the rapid geohazard assessment report on August 29, 2008 in Barangay Cantao-an where it advised the barangay of its susceptibility to landslide.

“We should be watchful all times as we don’t know when heavy rains will occur especially those communities or residents who are living near or at the foot of the mountain areas as many geohazards are rain induced and should be ready always,” Alburo reminded the public.

“We are urging our local chief executives to revisit and restudy the landslide susceptibility rating and landslide advisory letter which we issued to them during our rapid geohazard assessment so that they will know where landslide or flooding would likely occur within their respective jurisdiction,” he added. (FREEMAN)