Relocation shelter of 110 families in Kiangan ‘danger zone’ pushed

‘Disaster waiting to happen’ 

By Daniel Codamon

KIANGAN, Ifugao - A housing relocation shelter project is being sought for  110 families presently residing in an area declared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau –Cordillera Administrative Region as “danger zone” here.

The municipal government through the Municipal Disaster and Risk Reduction Management Office submitted project proposal to the National Housing Authority and Office of the President urgently seeking financial assistance amounting to P96,336,455.76 for  construction of housing units for the 110 families.

Affected families are from four sitios of Barangay Duit namely Palo, Junction, Bolar and Duit Proper.

In the study conducted by the MGB-CAR in 2013, “Sitios Junction and Bolar are presently affected by ground movements, progressive landslides and as a result of the active ground movements, tension cracks and active landslide escarpement were noted in the area in addition to numerous residential houses which sustained damages in the form of bulging floors, crack walls and disaligned houses”.

An active landslide was noted at Sitios Palo and Duit Proper.

This progressive landslide is within an old landslide terrain and that bulging of floors, cracks on wall and tilting of houses were observed within the area rendering some of the houses dangerous for habitation.

Tension cracks as manifested by vertical as well as horizontal ground displacements were also seen within the reactivated landslide and active localized landslide escarpments discovered within the old landslide area.

Based from their assessment, the MGB-CAR said the landslides affecting the respective sitios are still active and will continue to move or creep further downslope as evidenced by creeping and tension cracks.

The MGB strongly recommended that all affected residents in the four sitios be evacuated to safer ground and relocated to geologically stable ground to avoid possible loss of lives and damage to properties.

Presently, as a result of the active ground movements, numerous residential houses sustained damages and are no longer safe for habitation hence the urgent appeal of the local government for help from the national government

According to MDRRMO coordinator Mario Indopia,  they are still awaiting response and approval of these agencies for the immediate implementation of the project in to prevent  “a disaster waiting to happen” and save lives and properties.