Ground movements endanger residents in Tadian, Mt Prov; urgent relocation sought

TADIAN, Mountain Province – Families of around 30 houses in Barangay Tue in this town were warned to relocate as they are in danger of being buried by soil erosion, the Cordillera Mines and Geosciences Bureau bared saying it was closely monitoring areas in the region included in the agency’s geohazard map.

The agency concluded that the soil in the region is already saturated or has reduced its strength due to days of continuous rains ast month.

MGB-CAR Geosciences Division OIC Benigno Cesar Espejo said the entire region has become susceptible to soil erosion which endangers the lives of residents especially those whose houses are built in landslide-prone areas.

Barangay Tue in Tadian is just one of many areas in the region vulnerable to soil erosion.

Espejo said significant ground movements were recorded in the area that’s why the Philippine Institute of Vulcanology and Seismology placed the said barangay under alert level 3.

“Base po sa report nila na-validate namin (na) ang site is may maximum ground movement of some sort of half a meter. Medyo malaki ang movement doon and alert level 3 i-state na ang evacuation ng area. Anytime, mas (malaki) ang risk lalo na kapag umuulan. Anytime ang area could move, magkaka-landslide,” he explained.

Meanwhile, Barangay Upper Quarry in Baguio City is also under monitoring of the MGB. The area is landslide prone because of large spaces that are developing underground where houses are built.

“Huwag po nating bahayan ang mga talagang dadaanan ng tubig lalo na pag tagulan. Kapag di umuulan walang tubig is ok lang pero natural way po ang tubig diyan syempre iyong mga mabababang lugar, iyon ang mga pupuntahan ng tubig. Advise natin huwag magtayo ng bahay sa daanan ng tubig,” Espejo said.

Espejo advised residents to act as soon as possible to avoid possible danger. – Marje Pelayo with reports from Grace Doctolero