MGB-7 wants evacuation of folk near collapsed wall

MANILA, Philippines - Following the accident at the Casa del Rio Subdivision which killed two people and injured six others, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau- 7 yesterday recommended for the immediate evacuation and relocation of all the residents along the river bank near the collapsed retaining wall.

MGB-7 officials also recommended the reinforcement of the retaining wall using high-quality and first-rated materials.

The Cebu City Council on the other hand requested the Office of the Building Officials and the Department of Engineering and Public Works to examine and assess the integrity of the soil and the remaining structures within the immediate vicinity of the retaining wall.

The City Council approved a resolution sponsored by Councilor Alvin Arcilla asking the DEPW and the OBO officials to take the necessary measures to prevent a similar incident in the future.

The developer, Commonwealth Development Inc., however said that it has already taken the necessary measures.

 “We are putting up mitigating measures to prevent further erosion. As per instruction from the Office of the Building Official, we will submit a new design for a new retaining wall and our mitigation plans,” a statement from the developer reads

Talamban Barangay Captain Jesus Remedio Jr. is also asking the city government to assist in the clearing of the houses along the riverbank to prevent the occurrence of a similar incident in the future.

Senior Science Research Specialist Abraham Lucero, Jr. yesterday conducted an ocular inspection and observed the presence of cracks along the 60-meter long retaining wall.

He recommended the immediate installation of cordon and signage to avoid accidents. Lucero’s initial assessment of the area reveals that the soil composition of the affected area is mostly limestone. He said that the damage on the retaining wall was 30 meters long.

A portion of the 6-meter high retaining wall of Casa del Rio Subdivision in Highway 77, Barangay Talamban collapsed Tuesday evening, killing Allan “Tira” Oporto and Nestor Tapdasan, Sr.

Those who were injured and are now confined at the North General Hospital are Eric Mabuyao, Nel Marie Inguito, Margie Tambagan, Allan Oporto, Erich Mabuyao and Daphny Inguito.

The developer has promised to shoulder all the medical expenses for those who are confined in the hospital as well as burial and financial assistance to the families of those who were killed. It also assured food provision for those who were displaced.

Seeking justice

But Tapdasan’s wife, Elena, wants justice for her husband. According to Elena, she is now worried of the future of her children because of the untimely demise of her husband.

Elena is determined to file charges in court in spite of the assurance of the developer to give them assistance.

 “Dugay na namo gi-reklamo ang riprap, apan wala gyu’d nila tagai og pagtagad hangtod nahulpa (We have long been complaining about the riprap but they did not act on our complaint),” she said.

Tapdasan’s body was the last to be unearthed from the rubbles. It took almost 20 hours for the rescuers to retrieve him. His body was taken out from the debris at 1:15 p.m. yesterday.

Tapdasan was still holding the television set which he came back to save before the riprap falls on him.

Blaming game

The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the barangay officials of Talamban are now blaming each other.

Remedio said they were never negligent in its responsibility to remind the residents of the risks that they are facing in living along the riverbanks. In fact, they have repeatedly asked the 60 families living in the area to vacate the place after the area was identified as hazard zone last year because a portion of the wall had collapsed.

 “We’ve been reminding them to evacuate the area since 2002 because the area is prone to floods and landslides,” said Remedio.

CCDRRMC executive officer Alvin Santillana said the problem should have been solved by the barangay officials.

“The barangay is the small LGU (Local Government Unit) - It’s their responsibility,” Santillana said.

According to him, the CCDRRMC has other problems to attend to. — /FPL(FREEMAN)