Stalled retrieval operations at landslide site resumes

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — Retrieval operations at the landslide area in Brgy. Solongon of La Libertad, Negros Oriental will resume today (Feb. 9) after the provincial rescue team stopped their activity due to physical exhaustion and loss of power of their equipment.

Team leader Boyet Somoza told The FREEMAN that, after going home to Dumaguete, the team members started their way back to the site yesterday and met with Solongon barangay officials in the evening to discuss matters on the operations especially on securing help from volunteers.

Somoza further said his team direly needs food and water to sustain the members through the exhausting retrieval operations.

In other parts of Negros Oriental, some 400 soldiers of the 302nd Infantry Brigade continued with their search and inspection operations.

Meanwhile, as of 9 a.m. yesterday, electric power on portions of La Libertad and Himamalud towns has been restored, through the Nat’l Grid Corp. of the Phil. substation in Bindoy.

NGCP line crewmen continued work, round the clock, to install and replace the 24 damaged posts with lightweight steel posts that were transported to specific areas by military helicopters, and restore power in the entire towns of La Libertad and Himamalud.

NGCP officials said they expected to complete power restoration works today. - THE FREEMAN