In Buhisan, MGB-7 to send geologists to inspect tension cracks

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau will send a team of geologists to inspect the tension cracks earlier found by the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (CCDRRMC) in Barangay Buhisan.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo yesterday told The Freeman that this was ordered by MGB 7 director Loreto Alburo following reports and request of the city government for the line bureau to step in and provide technical enlightenment.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday called on the proper government agency with its experts to conduct a thorough field investigation and issue a recommendation that the local government unit will help implement.

“Lisud man kaayo ug kita ang muhatag sa confirmation. Kinahanglan gyud na ang MGB ang mu-verify. Though, I commend Councilor Dave (Tumulak) and the CCDRRMC for the initiative to conduct own inspection,” Rama told reporters.

Tumulak, sitting as CCDRRMC chairman, conducted ocular inspection and Geographic Information System (GIS) together with Harold Alcontin of Management Information and Computer Services (MICS) still with the city government.

The inspection confirmed two tension cracks both .4 meters wide and over 10 meters long each situated in Sitio Dulhugan, Buhisan particularly lot no. 18591 owned by Seferina Godin, with elevation of 220 meters above sea level.

Pending the results of the site inspection by state geologists, Llamedo further issued preventive warnings especially that Buhisan has been identified as landslide prone.

“As a precautionary measure, the barangay captain is urged to monitor the incident. Based in our geohazards mapping assessment, there are areas in Buhisan which have been rated from moderate to high susceptibility to landslides.

Presence of tension cracks is one of the parameters in coming out with a rating. During heavy rains, the volume of water seeps through areas with many and large tension cracks, thus saturating them and landslides may occur,” the Central Visayas environment spokesperson said.

He added that communities living near those tension cracks should be more careful particularly during heavy rains and take the necessary evacuation.

Furthermore, 45 families in Sitio Sandayong and Sitio Puti in a report submitted to Rama were recommended by Tumulak to seek temporary evacuation.— (FREEMAN)