MGB probes collapsed Bontoc mountain;nine families affected

By Erlindo Agwilang Jr.

BONTOC, Mountain Province – Rep. Maximo B. Dalog has requestedthe Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Cordillera Administrative Region to inspect the dangerous and unstable portion of Teng-ab Complex of the Roman Catholic Church here which collapsed due to heavy rains and strong current and which affected nine families down the hill of White Village, Barangay Caluttit at the height of Typhoon “Ineng” on Aug. 22.

The Teng-ab Complex was conceptualized by the late Bishop Francisco F. Claver, houses St. Peter’s Minor Seminary, Retreat Center, Clergy House, Retreat House and Bishop’s House.  

On Nov. 3, personnel from MGB-CAR evaluated said unstable section on  northeastern part of the Teng-ab Complex.

The ocular geologic inspection was witnessed by Rev. Fr. Joseph Requino and his staff Stella Chumacog.

 In his report, Benigno Cesar Espejo, MGB supervising geologist said the landslide is situated on middle northeastern slope a hill characterized by moderately steep sloping ground.

The area, he said, is “highly weathered and fractured” and showed backfilled earth materials composed mostly of boulders of varying size mixed with soil.

Espejo said the Teng-ab Complex can be restored provided that all mitigating measures should be done on stable ground preferably on bedrock and must be deeper than the slip/sliding area.

The MGB recommended restoration of drainage canal in the area which must be concreted and interconnected to national drainage system and that all surface water be diverted away from unstable portion until such time that restoration works are fully implemented.

In related developments, a “Help Save Teng-ab Project” was launched by  Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe to raise funds for restoration of the damaged area with Bishop ValentinDimoc as chairperson and Fr. Requino as assistant.

Requino said joint initiatives have started immediately after the huge landslide. “The clergy, government agencies and generous individuals shared their labor, resources some in kind such as stones, sand, cement, and still others in terms of food. However, in consonance to this predicament we humbly request for funds for erection of concrete retaining walls to stop the erosion, protect the building and above all to prevent possible tragedy,” he added.

Meanwhile, Dalog endorsed the same for funding at the Office of Civil Defense- National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council along with all other damages caused by Typhoons Ineng and Lando as reported by the Provincial Government and the Mountain Province District Engineering Office.

 In his letter to Undersecretary Alexander P. Pama, NDRRMC Executive Director, Dalog need for immediate funding of said areas to mitigate further damages and help his constituents recover from the effects of the recent natural calamities. “The funding of said damages will help ease the burden and difficulty of our constituents who were affected by the recent typhoon,” he said.