Landslide spot still unstable, risky

CEBU, Philippines - Authorities have declared that soil in the landslide-stricken sitio of Barangay Manipis, Talisay City remains unstable and that the area still proves to be a risky place for residents.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 found out that as of press time yesterday, Sitio Camp 6 is still showing signs of boulders and other loose materials that may topple down following Thursday morning's landslide.

"We urge the Talisay City government and the barangay captain to carry out immediate relocation and evacuation of the nine households as they are in a very high risk place," said MGB regional director Loreto Alburo.

Another slide

In a radio report, City Councilor Danilo Caballero confirmed that another landslide had actually hit the area past 2 p.m. yesterday, once again stranding motorists and commuters going to Manipis proper and Toledo City. There were no reported damages, however.

Before that, at least nine households or more than 50 persons in Camp 6, Barangay Manipis were asked to leave their homes immediately after two houses were hit by boulders in a landslide.

No casualty was reported when boulders rolled down on the two houses located in a cliff at the right side of Manipis road.

In an inspection, the boulders that moved down on Thursday had a dimension of about 0.5 meter by 0.5 meter.  The 50-meter road stretch became impassable as some eroded materials blocked the traffic.

The landslide area was near to a site of a road widening project being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways with its contractor QM Builders, which then cleared the road and hauled soil materials.

"Intense and prolonged rain including the type of soil there which is mostly highly weathered and highly fractured could be a factor why landslides occur in Manipis," said DENR regional executive director Dr. Isabelo Montejo.

Recommendations

MGB-7's chief geologist Al Emil Berador and mine safety and health section chief Romeo Patalinghug were deployed to conduct an ocular inspection last August 28 after a phone call from the Talisay City government.

Berador said there were some sections already indicating a movement and these cobble stones or boulders on higher slopes could be mobilized by strong ground shaking during an earthquake or after several days of heavy and prolonged rains.

After the Thursday's incident, MGB-7 issued a landslide threat advisory with five recommendations which was received by the office of Talisay City Mayor Johnny De los Reyes.

The recommendations are as follows: implement the evacuation of nine households; observe and monitor the presence of mass movement and report to authorities; establish slope stabilization measures; put up some warning signs to caution the motorists on the hazards present; and cordon off the area.

In an interview with some residents, it was learned that the place had experienced three days of continuous rain.

"It is strongly notified to all communities particularly those who are situated near the foot of the mountain or in the cliff side and other critical areas to be at all times careful and cautious as landslide occurs without warning," Alburo added.

In a related development, about four households were recommended for evacuation in Sitio Camp 4 as there are tension cracks nearby those houses. 

Safety measure

For De los Reyes, the Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office's recommendation to have 100 Manipis residents living near the cliff forced evacuated will be the safest measure to do.

"We are carrying and adopting the recommendation of the city's Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to have them evacuated in the area to avoid danger," Delos Reyes said.

The mayor said he adopted the recommendation based on a report submitted by city disaster officer Vince Monterde,  who made a two-day assessment in the area following Thursday's landslide and rockslide in Sitio Camp 6.

Camp 6 stands on slopes or foot slopes, making it prone to landslides, according to Monterde and the report from MGB.

But some residents living near the danger zone have reportedly refused to leave their homes, saying they could not afford to leave their livelihood behind.

Updated list

Recently, the Department of Interior and Local Government called on all punong barangays to update the list of populations at risk in vulnerable areas, particularly in the cities and municipalities that were previously identified by MGB as landslide and flashflood-prone.

In a memorandum, DILG said barangay captains should have a ready and updated list of at-risk communities, such as those living in low-lying lands, along riverbanks, shorelines, esteros, canals and in and under slope areas which are prone to landslides and flooding.

Village chiefs are also required to make a list of people with special needs such as elderly, children, infants, pregnant women and persons with disability, and their locations, as well as a list of poorly constructed houses and facilities. (FREEMAN)