Pre-emptive evacuation proposed

More than 300 individuals in Sitio Sandayong, Barangay Buhisan are being eyed to be placed under preemptive evacuation due to the tension cracks in the area.

This was after Buhisan Barangay Captain Gremar Barete received reports from his constituents that cracks caused by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in 2013 are evident.

“Regarding ni sa 2013 na earthquake and naa’y findings ang Mines and Geosciences Bureau, naa’y fault line or something na-loosen ang soil sa area, naa’y mga cracks,” he told reporters yesterday.

Barete said around 30 households are located right below the slope where the cracks are found.

In fact, MGB-7 has advised evacuation of residents after conducting a geo-hazard assessment in 2013.

“Please note that the immediate evacuation of residents staying near the landslide affected area is highly recommended,” portion of MGB-7 letter addressed to Barete.

Barete said they were not able to implement the recommendation of MGB-7, saying the residents were uncooperative.

With this, he immediately wrote a letter to Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO), Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CCDRRMO) and Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 to reassess the area.

“Mo-schedule ug inspection sa area kay so far karon dili mi suhito sa movement sa yuta, mao nga nangayo ta og assistance sa MGB kung peligro ba gyud or necessary ang force evacuation,” Barete said.

The FREEMAN, in an ocular inspection, saw the cracks at the top of the mountain which may affect the structures situated at the lower portion.

A resident who spoke on conditions of anonymity said that they are hopeful the situation will not worsen.

“Wala ko kuyawi nga mapareha sa Naga nga landslide kay wala man nag quarry diha, tungod lang gyud na sa linog pag 2013,” she said.

Barete said he sought the assistance from the concerned authorities so that their barangay will be guided as to what are the appropriate actions to take.

“Among concern is ato ipa-reassess sa MGB kay para ma-verify and unsa’y update sa area nga peligro. Para makabantay pud ta ba kay dili man nato mahibal-an ang panahon,” he said.

As of press time, the MGB-7 has already sent a communication letter to them detailing that they can’t immediately conduct reassessment due to numerous requests they are accommodating at present, he said.

“Tungod sa kadaghan nga requests, ilahang gipasa sa Cebu City disaster, ”Barete said.

The CCDRRMO, for its part, is expected to inspect the area this week to re-evaluate the situation of the area.

CDDRMO Head Nagiel Bañacia said they will have a joint inspection with the technical team of CCENRO and MGB-7 this coming Monday.

But he clarified that it is the role of MGB-7 to declare whether or not the area is already dangerous for habituation.

“Kanang mga hazard na areas under sa ato opisina, kita ang mohatag og mitigating measures or preventive measures. Ang technical makaingon ana nga this is dangerous or this is not is the MGB-7,” Bañacia said.

MGB-7 Information Officer Marian Zaragoza Codilla said they have not yet received the request letter from the barangay for reassessment.

In a separate interview, CCENRO Head Nida Cabrera said that they will conduct profiling and household tagging of affected residents this Monday so that they can document the names and the total number of affected families.

They will also coordinate with the disaster office for their aid to the barangay if and when evacuation of residents is needed.