‘Soil creep’ noted in mining area

MANKAYAN, Benguet — Persons living along government-identified geological hazards in this town were warned to evacuate to safer grounds after another movement was noted by geologists of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. after the onslaught of typhoon "Feria."

Lepanto Consolidated Mining Co. reiterated its call to some 37 families residing along Aurora st. in Poblacion, Mankayan town, where an active ground movement technically described as "soil creep" occurs during every rainy season.

Since the early ’70s, LCMC has advised residents to relocate their houses because of the imminent danger posed by the ground movement.

Ruben Quiwa Jr., assistant resident manager of LCMC told The STAR, he made the call after a ground movement occurred in the area at the height of typhoon Feria, considered the worst typhoon to hit the region in recent years.

"While we have instituted mitigating measures to stabilize the area, these may not be sufficient considering the unstable nature of the soil where the houses are located at present.

There is a strong possibility that prolonged rains caused by typhoons or heavy downpour might cause ground movement or a land slide in the area," he warned.

In 1999, a six-hectare area sank in Barangay Colalo that caused the death of a resident and damaged the community school building. — Artemio Dumlao