Amid successive days of rain DENR warns against landslides

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is reminding the public to be cautious on the possibility of landslides and flooding as a result of heavier rains within the week.

MGB-7 regional director Loreto Alburo addressed the notice particularly to residents or communities who are living near rivers and foot slopes of mountains.

Alburo said that his office has completed the geohazard assessment and mapping all throughout the country and has distributed geohazard maps to all local government units.

In a statement to The Freeman, Alburo likewise urged local chief executives to make use of the geohazard maps, and implement the necessary measures to reduce the impact of landslides and flooding within their respective areas of responsibility.

According to Alburo, areas which have been declared as "highly susceptible" to flooding and landslides by the MGB should be carefully monitored by the local government officials.

Isabelo Montejo, DENR-7 regional executive director, explained that flooding could be attributed to proximity to perennial river creek system, poor drainage facility, inherently low lying area, proximity to coastal area, heavily silted river or creek, and encroachment along natural drainage channels.

"Communities should refrain from dumping their garbage in rivers and esteros as this will consequently clog waterways and cause flooding," said Montejo.

The environment chief likewise strongly recommended for local chief executives to prohibit habitation in areas declared as "highly susceptible" to flooding and landslides by MGB-7.

For their part, in order to respond immediately to emergencies, the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) has been in full alert status since last week due to the bad weather condition, said CPPO director Sr. Supt. Noel Gillamac.

Gillamac said that even before the weather bulletin on typhoon Agaton was issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Service Administration (PAGASA), he sent a directive to all chiefs of police to monitor their areas for possible landslides and flashfloods.

"We are also coordinating with the local government units in preparing 24/7 due to continuous rainfall," Gillamac said in a phone interview.

He also directed his men to make force evacuations to residents if there is a need of such while search and rescue teams are also on standby.

Gillamac further said they are monitoring motorized bancas which forcibly travels from Bantayan Island to mainland Cebu and vice versa despite the rough seas.

"Duna ma'y uban nga mupugos ug layag ilabi na ang naa sa Sta. Fe, Daanbantayan ug San Remigio, dihang dapita bantayanan gyud na," he said.

Meanwhile, two minors including a three-year-old girl died while their sibling was seriously injured last Friday afternoon in sitio Lusaron, Barangay San Juan, Tuburan town, after huge rocks fell on their house which was reportedly at the foot slope of a mountain. 

Jose Arias Jr., 14, died on the spot while his younger sister, Jonabel Arias, 3, died after she was rushed to the hospital.

Jundel Arias, 5, was also critically injured and was initially treated at the Tuburan District Hospital. He was later transferred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center.

PO1 Joseph Bejer, officer in charge of Tuburan police station, said that the siblings were reportedly sleeping inside their house when the incident happened.

"Natulog daw ang mga bata unya kalit lang nahulog ang mga bato gikan sa taas," Bejer said, adding that the parents were outside of the house when the irocks fell.

Maribel Arias, mother of the victims, was able to save her older daughter and newly born baby who escaped unscathed.

A joint team from the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) responded in the area and immediately conducted a rescue operation.

"Naglisod sab to sila og pagsalba kay dako-dako sab ang bato unya natabunan ang katong mga biktima," Bejer said. — Mitchelle L. Palaubsanon, Ria Mae Y. Booc and Aron A. Rempohito, USJ-R Masscom Intern / ATO (FREEMAN)