Dangerous mountain ‘cracks’ landslides in Bontoc village

EDITORIAL

The report about mountain “cracks” and landslides along the Digdig Fault in Bontoc, Mountain Province  at Barangay Gonogon along the Halsema Highway which reportedly threatens to bury alive villagers and 69 houses, including a “dap-ay or ato” (sacred huts), newly constructed barangay hall and waiting shed at Barangay Gonogon needs immediate attention.

As an old clique goes, prevention is better than curing. It is a welcome development that Gov. Leonard G. Mayaen had ordered the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office to inspect the site following report of The Digdig Fault line traverses the village and is susceptible to rain-induced landslide, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

PDRRMO personnel led by PDRRM officer Anacleto B. Tangilag, Sally Cherwaken and Bontoc Councilor John Tay-og recently checked the site after Gonogon barangay captain Rudy Guitalao told them cracks could be seen above the national road.

Gonogon folks said they feared they could be buried alive if the crack widens and the landslide continues.  Villagers constructed a drainage canal above all cracks to divert water flow and prevent erosion especially during  rainy season.

However, the slope above the national road eroded even without heavy rain.

The provincial government had coordinated with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau – Cordillera Administrative Region to conduct studies in the area to determine cause of cracks and landslides.

But as of press time, the MGB-CAR had not yet issued a report on the matter. According to provincial officials, the MGB should recommend action as soon as possible to prevent loss of lives and properties if cracks will widen and erode, burying the houses below the national road. Prompt action by the MGB could spell difference between life and death for residents of the area.

Five municipalities of this province are traversed by faultlines and epicenters with barangays susceptible to erosion as well as flood prone areas.

This was indicated by PIVS geo-hazard map which bared most roads in the 10 towns of the province, except the eastern municipality of Paracelis, were susceptible to rain- induced landslides.