DENR to Apo Land: Build wall in sitios hit by landslide

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) recommended the construction of a retaining wall in Sitios Sindulan and Tagaytay in Barangay Tina-an, City of Naga to prevent another landslide there.

This is one of the recommendations of the DENR after its third assessment of the danger zones near the landslide area in the City of Naga earlier this month.

Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu, who was in Cebu on Thursday, Nov. 22, to attend the 4th International River Summit, said that part of their recommendation was for Apo Land and Quarry Corp. (ALQC) to implement its hazard mitigation measures in the landslide area. This includes clearing the debris from the landslide.

ALQC owns the property where the landslide occurred.

Cimatu said he also spoke to City of Naga Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong earlier this week concerning their recommendations.

The result of the third assessment will be released to the City Government of Naga today.

Cimatu said there is a possibility that the families that were evacuated from the danger zone could return to their homes by February next year yet since there are still signs that the earth at the landslide area is still unstable.

It has been two months since the landslide occurred but there is still no advice as to whether or not the evacuees could go back.