Geologists to probe ground fissures in Sarangani

Koronadal City — Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Elisea Gozun has commissioned a team of govern-ment geologists to look into the ground fissures that hit a village in Glan, Sarangani.

In a report, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) attributed the ground fissures in Purok Pagang in Barangay Baliton to a landslide caused by intermittent rains.

Portions of Purok Pagang subsided by three to four meters, prompting five families there to abandon their houses.

Jose Madrona, the MGB’s Region 12 director, said the team of geologists, which is expected to arrive today, will conduct a detailed assessment and geological probe of the landslide.

The regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has submitted an on-site report, but Gozun reportedly wants a more detailed and technical assessment of the ground fissures.

Madrona said the team is led by MGB-Region 11 chief geologist Rustico Villamor and Jaime Flores of MGB-Central Mindanao. MGB national director Horacio Ramos is sending the team upon Gozun’s order.