Talisay ready to evacuate families after rocks smash into dwellings

CEBU, Philippines - After big rocks smashed small houses last Tuesday night, Talisay City is now set to evacuate the families living at the potentially dangerous foot of the mountain in sitio Tigib, Lagtang, Talisay City.

Councilor Semy Cabuenas, former Lagtang barangay chief, said he will meet with local housing board officials to discuss the problem at hand and "hopefully" find a relocation site for at least 30 families living in this area.

Cabuenas said these families should be transferred "as soon as possible." There are reportedly around 50 houses built in this dangerous area, the same place where a pregnant woman was hit and killed by a rolling rock last year.

Since that incident, barangay officials have already called on city hall to provide a relocation site for these people. But in last Wednesday's interview, barangay councilman Osias Quilong-quilong said city hall ignored the request.

And last Tuesday night, four houses in very same area where a pregnant woman was smashed to death were partially destroyed when loose rocks came rolling down on the small shanties below. No one was reported hurt in the incident.

But residents are still apprehensive that the same will happen in the coming days, especially that the soil has been softened by the rain, which may bring down some more rocks on them.

These residents are willing to be relocated anyplace where it is safe, Cabuenas said.

The city has given financial assistance to at least five affected families.

City social welfare and development officer Felipa Solana said she has already recommended P5,000 as financial aid to each owner of the house that was damaged by rocks.  (THE FREEMAN)