Landslide threatens to bury115 Bontoc houses

Villagers urged to relocate 

By Andrew Doga-ong and Alpine L. Killa

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Families living in 115 houses are still facing danger of being buried alive in a landslide as their houses are located below a mountain, which geological experts said could erode anytime. 

The Mines and Geoscience Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Cordillera recommended relocation of residential structures in a sitio in Barangay Samoki here, due to “impending progressive complex landslide.”

MGB supervising geologist Benigno Cesar Espejo and geologist Carlo Gaerlan recommended relocation after their geo-hazard assessment on “instabilities” at SitioKhefa.

Khefa in the local dialect means landslide.

Gov. Leonard Mayaen requested the MGB to inspect and assess the area after residents reported rocks rolling down their village and cracks were observed on a hill just above residential houses.

In their geo-hazard assessment report received by the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office here, the two geologists noted the area had instabilities as evidenced by numerous tension cracks and active rock fall.

They said widening of the cracks could trigger landslide threatening 115 residential houses, a chapel, and a school building at the foot of the hill.

As a long term solution, the geologists said the affected residential units should be relocated and the area be declared “danger zone.”

Residents were advised to evacuate to safer areas during strong rains to prevent loss of lives and property.

The Khefa-Pawek Parents Movement Organization earlier reported mountain rocks roll down the village and residents have seen cracks on the surface of the mountain.

Following the MGB report, Mayaen said he will coordinate with other government agencies to provide assistance to affected residents. 

“We will make the appropriate representations with the concerned government agencies so that assistance will be extended to them to be able to identify possible relocation sites and for them to be able to start a new life in safer grounds,” the governor said.