Buhisan villagers at risk of landslide won’t be relocated until late 2019

It has been nearly two months since the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 recommended the relocation of some 50 families living in proximity to a huge crack by the mountainside in Sitio Sandayong, a hamlet in Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City.

How is the relocation process, so far?

According to Buhisan Barangay Captain Gremar Barete, the relocation of the affected residents is expected to happen within the third quarter of 2019.

“The main cause of delay is the tedious legal process involving lot acquisition. It has to pass through the City Assessor, then after that the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO), and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will have to certify that the relocation areas are safe,” he told SunStar Cebu.

The village chief also pointed to the upcoming 2019 midterm elections as another factor they had to consider.

“There are laws which prohibit spending the money of the government during the election period. We don’t want to cause any complication, so we’ll just wait,” he continued.

Promulgated last Oct. 1, Commission on Elections Resolution 10429 provides the calendar of activities and periods of prohibited acts in connection with the May 13, 2019 national and local elections.

From March 29 to May 12, the construction of public works, delivery of materials for public works, issuance of treasury warrant and disbursement of public funds are prohibited.

At present, negotiations between the City Government and the owners of three private lots in Sitios Nazareth, Tubod and Dulhugan, which will serve as the relocation sites, are still ongoing.

The three possible relocation sites have a combined lot area of 12,000 square meters.

Barete is hoping that this would be enough to accommodate not only the affected residents near the foot slope, but also those living near the creek.

“Including the illegal settlers living near the creek, we will have around 100 families subject to relocation. We want to take them out of there as well for their safety. But our top priority will be the 50 families in Sitio Sandayong,” he added.

Despite the delay, Barete said the affected residents are still cooperative and are “looking forward” to their relocation in a safer place.

In the meantime, residents of Sitio Sandayong were told to immediately evacuate to the barangay sports complex during a heavy downpour.

Warning signs on the landslide threat advisory issued by the MGB were already installed in the area.

Last Oct. 19, Barete sought the help of the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources, CCDRRMO and the MGB 7 to look at the fissure, which was brought about by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake on Oct. 15, 2013.

Three days later, on Oct. 22, the MGB 7 submitted a landslide threat advisory to the barangay, urging residents to be extra careful because heavy rain might wash down rocks from the top of the mountain.