PDRRMO: Forced evacuation needed

“Massive plus forced evacuation” is the recommendation of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Office (PDRRMO) to be done on residents living near the landslide area in Boljoon, Cebu.

The PDRRMO learned in a report that the land mass continues to move closer to the diversion road which was created after the original road was covered with eroded land mass.

PDRRMO Head Baltzar Tribunalo said the movement of the land is rain-induced.

With the rain showers in the area the past days and the existence of Tropical Depression Salome, he emphasized that the people and the government should not be complacent.

“(There should be) massive evacuation to all households in those areas closer to that place nga naay land mass,” he said.

He suggested to the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Office (MDRRMO) to close the diversion road at night to ensure the safety of the people.

“Kulbaan gyud ko anang dapita kay the landmass is huge! Sugyot nato ana nga during night time, wala gyuy paagion (diversion road),” he said especially to those who will be passing near the area to attend today’s town fiesta.

Adding to Tribunalo’s worry is that the areas in Sitio Camfranco and Sitio Sangi of Barangay Becerril are not forested areas. Although there are a lot of coconut trees, he explained that the 2-3 meter deep roots of these trees are not enough to hold the land.

As of press time, 55 families have been affected by the landslide incident but only 18 have been evacuated.

“Biyai na ninyo, mao nay akong hangyo. Kung dili na ninyo biyaan, mamatay ta uban sa atong balay,” Tribunalo said, referring to those who opted to stay.

Boljoon Disaster Officer Eutemio Ternate said that the original road is passable with a motorcycle only. The diversion road, which was completed last Tuesday, can accommodate bigger vehicles.

Yesterday, the filling of the diversion road with sand and gravel was completed.

Ternate said that they have put men in charge on both ends of the original road to signal when a vehicle can pass or not.

Ternate added that Tribunalo already told him about the suggestion on the massive evacuation.

“Kung dunay kusog na ulan didto sa babaw ug basi sa report sa nagmonitor, it is a sign for us to conduct a massive evacuation,” he said in response to the PDRRMO Chief’s suggestion.

“Possible nga magpadayon ang pagdahili sa yuta diri sa ubos. Very prone sila but wala pa nato sila(remaining households) gi-evacuate,” Ternate added.

Ternate also said most of the families that remained in their homes are those who are situated within the danger zone determined by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

Meanwhile, a total of 45 families in Barangay Lower, Boljoon town received relief assistance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD-7) from Nov. 2 to 7.

DSWD -7 Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre said they will continue to provide assistance and monitoring to the displaced residents to assure that an immediate aid will be given to the residents and to also address their needs.

The affected residents received food and nonfood items. They received six kilos of rice, cans of sardines, four cans of corned beef or beef loaf and six sachets of coffee.

Non-food items include clothing kit, sleeping and kitchen kit.

Macapobre attended a meeting called by the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas Secretary Michael Dino to further discuss appropriate actions to effectively and safely address the landslide incident.

Other agencies that joined the meeting include Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Boljoon town officials led by Mayor Derlou Derama.

Present to the meeting were also Kenneth Cobonpue, co-chairperson of the Regional Development Council (RDC) for the Central Visayas of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and the chairman of the Infrastructure Development Council of RDC.

Currently, the disaster team of Boljoon, with the full coordination of the Provincial Diasater Risk Reduction Management Office (PDRRMO), is doing precautionary and safety measure to ensure the welfare of the residents.

Macapobre also commended the Municipal Action Team (MAT) for the immediate action on the incident.

MAT is composed of personnel from different DSWD programs like the Pantawid Palmilyang Pilipino Program (4P’s), Kalahi-CIDSS, and the Sustainable Livelihood Program.