Slides threaten P’panga villages

By George Trillo

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga — After a killer landslide hit Arayat town during the onslaught of typhoon “Ondoy” that claimed the lives of 12 persons residing at the footstep of Mt. Arayat, the Central Luzon Regional Office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau warned that at least 10 villages in the province might experience landslides.

MGB said villages in “danger zones” are those situated near the footstep and periphery of Mt. Arayat. The government agency has identified the towns of Arayat and Magalang as “very high risk.”

MGB reported that villages in danger zones are Barangays Ayala, San Agustin, Sto. Niño, San Vicente, and Turo in Magalang; and Barangays Gatiawin, Palinlang, Balite, Turo Lapaz, and San Juan Baño, where the last killer landslide occurred, in Arayat.

A team of investigators from MGB conducted various geological studies and geo-hazard assessments at the concerned areas where they saw evidence of kaingin and illegal logging activities.

The team reported in Magalang, at least three main drainage systems are potential delivery channels for landslide materials because of the presence of breached portions weakness and there are manifestations of active landslides in the form of rock fall and translational slides,” the report said.

After the geo-hazard assessment, the MGB suggested that creeks should be cleared of debris and obstructions which could start the or scarps along the northern summit of Mt. Arayat. These drainage systems are Takwi, Kinanawan, and Bundalian creeks.

A report from the team submitted to MGB here, indicated that there is a possibility of debris flow affecting the downstream portion that can caused landslides in the areas assessed.

A geo-hazard assessment in the periphery of Mt. Arayat also showed that there are creeks and natural drainage that are potential delivery channels of landslide materials and debris flow.

“The breached portion of the summit had exhibited build-up of dam structures along the channels.

“If the water could pass freely along the channels, pore pressure on the unstable banks and unconsolidated materials along the path of the creeks would be lessened,” the report said.