No relocation for Itogon sinkhole victims
RELOCATION for affected families at Sitio Batuang, Virac Itogon whose homes were swallowed by a sinkhole in 2015 remains elusive.
Michael Sibayan, Chairman Kamangaan Virac Residence Association claimed some of the residents who were affected by the sinkhole are renting homes in Baguio City while others still live near the backfilled sinkhole area.
“The company have given a relocation site however until now it is not yet finished, affected families are willing however years passed until now there is still no relocation.”
During rainy days
cracks appear prompting him to keep an eye on the area. “We still don’t know if we are still safe here,” Sibayan added.
The relocation area located at Timberyard, Virac was previously given for the affected families by the Benguet Corporation.
In a phone interview, Benguet Corporation Attorney Froilan Lawilan said they have withdrawn the mineral claim of the company which have been documented to pave way to the relocation area.
Three years ago, households were shocked to witness their residential units gone with a 20 meter-diameter suddenly appearing on the road, engulfing their homes.
After the incident, the company accommodated affected families in container vans in Kias, bunkhouses of the company located in Virac while others went back to reconstruct their homes.
“I believe there are survey plan issued to whom the lots (relocation area) will be given, all complete, but we understand the predicaments of the residents of finding finances to build their houses. But as far as we are concern it is theirs, they can always go their anytime and build their houses,” said Lawilan adding currently there still no families in the relocation area.
The Local government of Itogon and BC made plans comprised of divided lots for victims but to this day there has been no action pending a response from the National Housing Authority.
In the area at least 43 local families were advised to evacuate and transfer to relocation areas donated by the mining firm.
Portions of Sitio Kamangaan and Upper Batuang were included in the red zone due to the presence of new and progressing tension cracks.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau report on November 2015, stated the result of the Geohazard and Geophysical Investigations of the Subsidence Incident in Sitio Batuang was due to a natural process called pseudokarst piping or piping gully but may be enhanced by human activities.
Based from their findings, the MGB-CAR delineated a total of 13,790 square meters as high critical geohazard zone and recommended evacuation of residents residing within the identified Temporary Danger Zone.