CEBU, Philippines — Can anyone be held accountable for the landslides in Naga City? Is anyone actually responsible?
These are the questions that dangle in the air following the death of at least 51 residents of Barangay Tinaan on September 20.
Yesterday, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Region 7 said it has actually relayed geohazard advisories and communication to the Naga City government.
The bureau’s spokesperson, Marian Codilla, said in a Facebook post that MGB-7 conducted 1:50,000 scale geohazard mapping in Tinaan, including Sitio Sindulan on August 28, MGB-7.
After that, the office recommended to relocate 26 families living at the footslopes in Sindulan.
On September 12, days prior to the landslide, MGB-7 reportedly sent a geohazard threat advisory to the city government to warn the city of the possible heavy rains brought about by the southwest monsoon enhanced by Typhoon Ompong.
"This could trigger flashfloods in low-lying areas along river systems or landslides along mountain slopes.... Results of the geohazard mapping and assessment within your area of jurisdiction provided you with important information findings and recommendations that would enhance your efforts at reducing the possible effects of impacts of Typhoon Ompong," part of the advisory reads.
In the same advisory, MGB-7 noted that the concerned local government units have to carry out pre-emptive actions and immediate proactive intervention especially in areas identified as susceptible to rain-induced landslide.
Response
While saying that she is not pointing fingers at anyone, Naga City Mayor Kristine Chiong also said that she understands that the mayor is the easiest to blame during disasters.
She told MGB-7: "Let us stick to the factual (information)."
Chiong said that after the cracks and ground fizzures were discovered on August 28, MGB-7 inspected the area the day after and reportedly said the cracks did not pose threat or danger.
"Based on the technical assessment by the MGB-7 team, they said the cracks are (manifestations) of natural phenomenon, the community and the neighboring communities are safe and secure, and the cracks does not pose threat and danger to the community," she said.
Upon her request to examine bigger cracks in Sitio Tagaytay again, the MGB-7 team reportedly visited the site again on September 18.
"During assessment and exit conference attended by CENRO (Community Environment and Natural Resources Office), there was no mention of Sindulan. It was focused on Sitio Tagaytay and the residents there were asked to evacuate," Chiong said.
Unfortunately, the landslide occurred on September 20 before MGB-7 could provide its official technical report following the latest visit and assessment.
Apo
She also said that the city provided a geohazard map.
"If you can remember, the map was released in 2008... The MPSA (Mineral Production Sharing Agreement) of the company (Apo Land and Quarry) was issued in 2009," she said.
"Licenses and approval are with the agency (MGB). Why approve the MPSA?... The LGU only issues the mayor's and business permit once they (companies) all have the licenses and all the other permits," she added.
Through mineral production sharing agreement (MPSA), the government grants to the contractor the right to mine within an area.
"The documents can speak for itself. They (MGB-7 officers) can say whatever they want to say, it is their right. I didn't say that the MGB are to blame," she said.
"In the end, there is no need of finger pointing. All issues regarding permits and licenses of quarry are now being discussed. It should be corrected if there is something to be corrected," she added.
Priority
Chiong said the city is focused on three main concerns at the moment: Search and rescue, ensuring that the survivors’ needs are met at the relocation centers, and relocating the families that have been displaced.
She said the P25 million that the city would have wanted to use as down payment for the purchase of a portion of the Balili property owned by the provincial government has been realigned to develop the relocation site that will be identified, as well as to build houses for the recipients.
President Rodrigo Duterte has also tapped the National Housing Authority and the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB) to assist Naga. (FREEMAN)