Isabela's capital town sinking - experts

TUGUEGARAO CITY ,Philippines  – Experts from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) here have confirmed that a big area of the capital town of Ilagan, Isabela is sinking due to the loosening soil and rock sediments caused by La Niña induced rains and forest denudation.

Geofrey Prado, an MGB mining engineer, also disclosed their recent discovery of a stretch of geologic fault line from Sitio Baribad, Baragay Cabisera 5 in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountains to Barangay Malalam near the Ilagan poblacion area.

Last week, torrential rains and the high water level in Pinacanauan River caused massive soil erosion in the riverside in Sitio Baribad. Village councilman Benjamin Domingo said at least five houses sank by two feet from its original ground level.

Sinking land areas are visible in Barangays Marana, Malalam, Osmeña, San Felipe and Alibagu, where the provincial capitol is located.

“We have to cause the relocation of affected residents before the sinking of the ground turns worse,” according to Domingo.