Equipment problems delay sinkhole check

CEBU, Philippines - The start of the sinkhole assessment in Central Visayas has been delayed as the antenna for the ground penetrating radar has yet to arrive at the state environment agency regional office.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said they hope to get it as soon as possible so that the assessment will be done the soonest possible time given the urgency of the matter.

“We need the antenna to capture a clear signal since a GPR will use satellite feed for proper reading of images underneath. We’re hoping to get the antenna so that we can start the assessment on the newly-developed sinkholes,” Llamedo told The Freeman.

The inspection was supposed to start in Cebu in January and Bohol the following month.

The mapping in Cebu is set to include the southern towns of Badian, Moalboal and Argao and the northern islet of Kinatarcan off Sta. Fe town in Bantayan islands.

The island province of Bohol is the next target.

These areas have been reported to have sinkholes that have developed in recent years especially after the strong earthquake in October 2013 and heavy rains in the latter part of 2014.

“Our aim is to get all these newly-formed sinkholes fully assessed so that we can make the necessary recommendations to the local government units concerned. This is very timely because for this year we will focus on areas which are more vulnerable to flooding, landslides, sinkholes, and coastal flooding or storm surges,” Llamedo added.

While it takes more than three hours to set up the GPR in an area, mapping is done in roughly an hour.

“Actually, we set our target every quarter and in this case, first quarter is from January to March. So, we’re still within the time frame to accomplish the target. We’d like to assure the LGUs that we’ll complete the assessment with urgency as soon as the GPR is ready for deployment,” Llamedo said. — Jessa J. Agua/NSA (FREEMAN)