Are 50 of 100 sinkholes in Tagbilaran?

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines – Terrified city residents, while being hounded by the seemingly never-ending aftershocks, are now being threatened further by reports that 50 of the about 100 sinkholes in Bohol are in this city.

This prompted Gov. Edgar Chatto to issue an statement dispelling insinuations that the sinkholes would cause Bohol to sink. He told the public that this is not true, citing Phivolcs report that those whose houses were not badly affected can now return home.

Chatto, in a press conference, said there is no reason to fear based on the assurance of geological experts who are now still verifying the existence of the reported 50 sinkholes in the city.

Reports reaching the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (PDRRMC) said that city residents have been warned by some sectors to start packing and move to safer places due to sinkholes all over the city.

The governor said that experts from the Mines Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the DENR are still conducting surveys of these alleged sinkholes in different areas following the earthquake.

On Friday, a sinkhole was found in Barangay Taloto of this city, a few meters from the city airport, but MGB personnel are still assessing the extent of its damage and its danger to the area, if there is any.

The MGB recently conducted a geo-hazard survey along Franklin Street, Purok 7 and 8 and Brgy. Poblacion I in the city where a sinkhole was found right after the quake, according to Barangay Chairperson Arlene Karaan of Poblacion I.

The MGB, thru Geohazard Mapping Assessment Team (GMAT) head Abrahan Lucero, who attended the public hearing, said the threat at Poblacion I, where the sinkhole was found, is rated “very high.”

This prompted Karaan to immediately convene her Barangay Council and conduct a public hearing to alert the residents near the sinkhole, which is now cordoned off from the public and any vehicle. Some residents however refused to take heed and refused to vacate.

The PDRRMC reported that sinkholes have been found at Barangay Cantalid and Balilihan Central Elem. School in Balilihan town, at Brgys. Lomboy and Panggangan Island in Calape town, at Brgy. Laya in Baclayon, in Alburquerque town, at Brgys. Buenavista and Montesuerte in Carmen, in Panglao Island, at Brgy. Poblacion in Lila, and at Brgys. Baang and Cambailan in Catigbian, 

The sinkhole in Brgy. Cambailan of Catigbian, one of the most badly hit town, was discovered by residents when The Freeman visited the place recently. Its size can fit two houses if dropped together, said a resident here. It is situated in a farm lot, and has been attracting visitors from other places.

In Baclayon town, a sinkhole, which was a few hundred meters from the centuries-old stone church that was razed to the ground, ate up a house and a car of a certain Abe Millana due to the earthquake, according to Mayor Alvin Uy.  (FREEMAN)