City brgys prone to landslides identified

Several barangays of Cebu City such as Sirao and Malubog are considered "geological hazards," the Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau yesterday said.

Engr. Emil Berador, chief geologist of the MGB said the barangays of Sirao, Malubog, and other barangays in the Transcentral Highway that have sloping grounds are prone to geo-hazards. He describes geo-hazards as natural perils such as landslides, floods, and earthquakes. Berador was one of the guest speakers during the Association of Government Information Officers forum at the DENR office yesterday.

He advises residents in these areas to be cautious and immediately report to the bureau if they found cracks on the ground. Cracks could be signs of a possible landslide, especially now that it is rainy season already, he said.

"If you see a crack on the ground inform us immediately and vacate the areas as soon as possible because we could not say when the landslide would occur," Berador said.

According to him these areas have lime soil and areas that have solution cavities and rain pits and when it rains, water penetrates the limestone area, which gets soft then collapses. He said that they have been going around the barangays in Transcentral Highway to educate the residents there about geo-hazard.

Other geo-hazard places he mentioned are those near the creeks and rivers, which are prone to floods. There are many of these in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Talisay, he said.

"If you experience flooding in the past, it is possible it would happen again," he said. - Wenna A. Berondo