Zambo Norte villagers warned of landslide

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Residents of at least six villages in Labason town in Zamboanga del Norte have been warned of a possible landslide.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issued the warning after giant boulders cascaded from the ridge of Mt. Dansalan two weeks ago, sending residents of Lapatan village into panic.

Aside from Lapatan, the other affected villages are San Isidro, Ubay, Lawagan, La Union, Patawag, Kipit, and Gabu.

MGB officials advised residents living at the foothills of the mountain to relocate to safer grounds.

Vheina Marie Quintana, chief of the MGB’s geosciences division, said the danger was uncovered while they were conducting hydro-geological assessment of the water source from Mt. Dansalan.

Quintana said they found out that the edge of the mountain in Barangay San Isidro has dropped vertically to about 15 meters with a stretch of 300 to 500 linear meters.

She said the slope on the ridge drops more than a meter every year.

“The area is highly fractured and would give way either through extensive rain or earthquake. At the same time, the area lies on the fault line,” she added.

Quintana said residents of Barangay Ubay have started to evacuate while others were returning for their livelihood.

Quintana said the MGB would be monitoring seven other areas in Labason town to determine the stability of the mountain.