Bureau urges relocation of 41 families from Sinsin

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau has recommended for the immediate relocation of 41 families from sitio Nangka of the upland barangay of Sinsin due to threats of a landslide.

The bureau yesterday submitted a report to the city about its investigation of the place after it was hit by landslides last week.

The Cebu City Disaster Council in turn held a meeting and discussed MGB’s observations and recommendations.  Council action officer, councilor Gerardo Carillo, said that they agreed to the relocation and provision of P5,000 financial aid to each of the affected families.

Carillo said he will file during the City Council session on Wednesday a resolution to seek the approval of the mayor for the allocation of the financial assistance.

Carillo said the area will also be cordoned off to warn people of the dangerous situation there. MGB director Roger de Dios told The Freeman last night that, during inspection, bureau personnel found some areas in the barangay fractured rock formations that make the area susceptible to landslide especially when the rain comes.

He said there are also signs of cracks near the barangay’s basketball court that reached the concentration area where houses are located.  The conditions call for an immediate relocation of residents there, said De Dios but added that the proposed relocation site must also be assessed for its safety first.

The City Council last Wednesday approved a resolution to hire a contractor that will conduct a feasibility study worth P190,000 on the possibility of applying a “geo-textile technology” where a “sealant” will be placed in the soil to avoid erosion.

Landslides hit the barangay and more than 20 houses are at risk after cracks were found in different areas of the sitio, including the barangay road following a heavy downpour on Friday last week.

Some portions of the barangay road are impassable after eroded lumps of soil covered the areas during a landslide.  There were even reports about six motorcycles that met accidents because of the dangerous road conditions, said Carillo.

Carillo said that, next week, the city engineering office will start rehabilitating the area and provide an alternate route for vehicles.  He added that he will ask the City Council’s approval of P300,000 to reimburse landowners whose lots will be affected by the alternate routes. — Wenna A. Berondo/RAE