Apo hazard reduction plan nears completion

CEBU, Philippines — Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC) is nearly complete with the first phase of implementation of the Hazard Reduction Plan (HRP) for its quarry site in Barangay Tinaan, City of Naga, which was hit by a massive landslide last year.

ALQC Spokesperson Chito Maniago, in a statement sent to The FREEMAN on Tuesday, said the HRP implementation is on track.

“As of February 11 (2019), our completion rate is already at 82 percent in the first and critical phases of the HRP,” he said.

The first phase is set to be completed by June this year.

“We are increasingly gaining confidence in restoring stability in the area with the completion of the first phase of the HRP,” said Maniago.

“We are positive that this multi-sectoral initiative, which is supported by the national and local government as well as our communities and stakeholders, will be able to truly help us mitigate risks and other incidents in the future,” he added.

The HRP is aimed at stabilizing the slopes left by the landslide, restoring the natural course of the Pangdan River, and establishing drainage systems to mitigate risks associated with the hazard debris remaining in the landslide-prone areas.

ALQC has just recently completed the construction of a new drainage system which is critical to ensure overall safety and integrity of the landslide-hit area.

Also, Maniago said the clearing of hazard debris for Sitio Sindulan safety wall component is almost complete, as well as the hauling and piling of boulders for the establishment of the safety wall.

He said ALQC is also eyeing to rehabilitate the Pangdan River by removing the boulders and soil that covered the natural course of the river.

“Equally important for the ecosystem is the rehabilitation and clearing of the Pangdan River. We target to restore the river’s original course,” he said.

He said the clearing of the tributary will bring back the river’s natural flow. It would also prevent further untoward movements of both water and hazard debris to other sitios.

ALQC has spent at least P68 million for the initial phase of HRP. It would cost the company P150 million for the implementation of the entire plan.

The firm started the implementation of HRP on November 30 last year through a simple ceremony held at ground zero.

During the ceremony, the HRP and the Sindulan Safety Wall blueprint were unveiled to the members of the local community.

A massive landslide hit Sitio Sindulan, Barangay Tinaan, in Naga City on September 20,2018. At least 78 people were buried alive, 18 were injured, six remained missing, and around 500 families were displaced.

The landslide site covers 80.12 hectares.

The Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) declared it as a natural phenomenon based on the geological assessment and comprehensive investigative reports of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau. —KBQ (FREEMAN)