Closure of Sirao flower farm pushed

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office has recommended the temporary closure of the famous flower garden in Barangay Sirao from visitors because of the cracks of the soil in the area.

This was also the recommendation of Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the committee on infrastructure and urban planning of the City Council. There were at least 50 cracks found in the area measuring 30 meters each and an opening of four inches wide. 

CDRRMO recommended to temporarily close the flower garden from the public until an assessment report on the soil stability is made by the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau-7.

As of yesterday, CDRRMO observed that visitors continue to flock to the garden.

Guardo asked the Department of Tourism as well as the Cebu City Tourism Commission to prevent tourists from visiting the place until it is declared safe.

Barangay Sirao is one of the identified landslide-prone barangays in the city.

Guardo said it is not safe to visit the garden this time when there are cracks.

"Because of the large tension crack spotted above the flower garden sa Sirao akong giawhag ang Department of Tourism including the Cebu City Tourism Commission Office nga dili lang una nato pabisitaon atong mga tourist, visitors, including guests didto kay sa pagkakaron man gud dili pa stable ang yuta unya gasige pag-ulan-ulan, inig sink-in sa tubig sa ilawom mo soften ang soil nato that would cause erosion eventually mo-cause og landslide," Guardo said.

Guardo personally visited the area and observed that the soil is not stable.

"Sa pagkakaron unstable pa gyud ang yuta didto, duna pa bitaw mga movements," he said.

A landslide was reported in Sirao last January 16, damaging the Pung-ol-Guba-Sirao access road. In fact, the road is still closed pending rehabilitation.

MGB-7 information officer Marian Codilla confirmed that the ground in Sirao is still moving.                 

"Our geologist found several mass wasting and tension cracks caused by the movement of the ground triggered by the continuous downpour. The instability is due to the natural composition and characteristic of the ground," Codilla said.

She said the area has been identified as geologically hazardous, susceptible to landslide. The geologists also recommended that the public avoid the place.

"After the rain, the soil may compress and stabilize but once there is another downpour the ground will again remobilize and another landslide will occur," Codilla added. (FREEMAN)