MGB-7 marks 5-km road project as "critical zone"

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 has declared the slopes within the five-kilometer ongoing widening road project that extends from barangay Camp 4 hall up to barangay Camp 6, Talisay City, Cebu as a “critical zone.”

A team of senior geologists, composed of Maria Elena S. Lupo and Josephine T. Aleta, who conducted a field investigation last September 11, found out the slope which is 60 degrees to almost vertical, is highly fractured with noted seepages.

Lupo said the area is highly susceptible to landslides and rock falls due to the highly fractured plus jointed and highly weathered characteristics of the rocks which is further aggravated by an ongoing slope cutting by a road expansion project.

MGB 7 recommended the immediate evacuation of houses alongside the road network; conduct regular clearing and monitoring of landslides-affected slopes; observe proper easement from weak slopes; and develop an early warning system.

“Unless and until the appropriate slope protection measures are implemented such as riprap or retaining walls which will render the slope stable, all families should go to safer grounds,” said Lupo in a statement.

She said continuous rains would make slopes weaken and saturate thus landslides or rock falls may occur anytime.

The geo-hazards threat advisories indicating the significant findings and recommendations were received by barangays Camp 4 and Manipis last March 6, 2012.

It may be recalled that based on the results of the 1:10,000-scale geo-hazards assessment conducted early this year, 77 percent of the 22 barangays in Talisay City are high risks to either landslides or flooding.

Cambang, Proper Camp 4, Bogo in barangay Camp 4, Camp 5, Camp 7, and Proper Manipis in barangay Manipis are highly susceptible to landslides. (FREEMAN)