Active fault lines worry City dads

CEBU, Philippines - The briefing of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) on the existing active fault lines in Cebu has made the members of the City Council anxious.

The councilors were afraid and disturbed after learning from Jorgio Robinson of Phivolcs Mactan that there are four active fault lines within the island of Cebu found through the geohazard mapping.

“Hala kakuyaw ba ana!” The councilors said in unison during the executive session. 

Present  were Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella, councilors Hans Abella, Mary Ann Delos Santos, James Cuenco, Noel Wenceslao, Richie Osmeña, Eugenio Gabuya, Alvin Dizon, Alvin Arcilla, Roberto Cabarrubias, Lea Japson, Nida Cabrera, Gerardo Carillo, Sisinio Andales, Michael Ralota, John Phillip Po, and Nestor Archival.

Robinson defines fault as “discontinuation of the surface” and that tension cracks were found in the town of Boljoon and in barangay Buhisan, Cebu City caused by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake last October 15.

Robinson explained the these tension cracks are alarming and threatening not only to human race but also to infrastructures.

“Kaning tension cracks masudlan og gamay nga tubig hinungdan nga ma hollow, mapikas or mo-cave in mao nga kuyaw,” Robinson explained. 

Elena Lupo, senior geologist of Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 further explained that the tension cracks are threatening because Cebu City is made up of 70 percent limestone.

Following the major tremor, Phivolcs recorded 3,500 aftershocks and 101 were felt including the recent intensity 5 quake.

Meanwhile,  the Pasil fish vendors are asking the city council to allow them to return to their stalls, after the fish market phase 1 and 2 were declared not structurally sound by the city’s structural engineers.

The vendors as well appealed before the council during the executive session to close one half of the Magsaysay street in Barangay Pasil from 12 midnight to 8 am for them to sell their goods and continue to earn their living.

Carillo said there were several complaints coming from the vendors and buyers due to security and sanitation concerns.

Lawyer Julius Caesar Entise who represented the vendors said that they didn’t receive reports of the result of the inspection of the Pasil market.

“It was just verbal claims or declaration nga unsafe. We didn’t even see the report neither no reports presented to us or to the vendors,” Entise said.

He said the temporary market located near the pasil fish port is not suitable because it is untidy considering they are selling fish.

“Muddy, hugaw dili gyod clean and dili safe ang lugar kay Pasil is a notorious place,” Entise said.

Pasil market phase 1 has 63 retailers and nine wholesalers while phase 2 has 47 retailers and 7 wholesalers.

With this, the council decided to authorize Ralota, Cabarrubias and city’s structural engineer Ariel dela Cruz to inspect again the market.— (FREEMAN)