9 villages on Mt. Asog fear wipeout
IRIGA CITY, Camarines Sur — At least nine villages of this city situated on Mount Asog are in a danger zone at risk of being wiped out as a result of frequent flashfloods and big landslides, local officials revealed yesterday.
It was learned that at least 50 families have already abandoned their homes in Barangay Sta. Teresita, following heavy rains that have caused landslides and rockslides over the weekend.
Barangay officials said a number of houses were totally wiped out by flashfloods and landslides or destroyed by huge rocks rolling down the mountain.
Barangay Chairman Eduardo Dimaiwat of Barangay Perpetual Help said the landslides are the result of massive deforestation on Mount Asog.
Dimaiwat said that instead of rehabilitating the mountain by planting trees, residents of these mountain villages are into corn and root crops farming.
The landslides have also affected the tribal village locally of the “Agta.”
Recently, a team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) inspected the mountain villages and discovered the destruction caused by frequent flashfloods and landslides in the area.
The city government through Mayor Madelaine Alfelor is now coordinating with the DENR, the Regional Development Council (RDC), and other concerned agencies on how to address this problem each time a heavy downpour occurs.