Evacuation of 26 families in Naga pushed by MGB

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 has recommended the immediate evacuation of the 26 families within the landslide area in Barangay Naalad, Naga City.

The recommendation came after boulders from a ridge in Tina-an fell on four houses in Naalad Saturday. Although there was no reported casualty but 26 houses along the foot slope are at risk.

The incident was attributed to a combination of factors such as heavy rainfall and type of soil in the area being mostly limestone which is characterized as typically porous and poorly bedded.

The City Government of Naga has temporarily relocated the affected families on the embankment across Pangdan River with only tarpaulins or tents as their shelter.

MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo sent on Monday Senior Geologist Josephine T. Aleta and Engineer III Romeo J. Patalinghug to conduct field investigation in the area.

Among the findings and recommendations of the team is to relocate the 26 families as well as for Transco to study the possibility of relocating its tower which sits 75-meters away from the affected area.

MGB-7 had provided Naalad barangay officials a copy of their rapid geohazard assessment report in August 2008 wherein they have rated the place as susceptible for landslide.

"We should be watchful or vigilant at all times as we don’t know when heavy rains will occur especially those communities or residents who are living near or at the foot of the mountain areas as many geohazards are water (rain) induced," Alburo said.

Alburo is also urging the local chief executives and barangay officials to revisit and restudy the landslide susceptibility rating and landslide advisory letters which were issued to them during their rapid geohazard assessment in order to know where landslide or flooding would likely occur within their respective jurisdiction. –(FREEMAN)