Retaining wall proposed to protect Buhisan School

CEBU, Philippines — The Office of the Building Official (OBO) has recommended the construction of a structural retaining wall with protective fencing to prevent further damage to the buildings of Buhisan Elementary and Night High School in Barangay Buhisan, Cebu City.

The recommendation came after the OBO’s inspection last September 16, 2025, during which cracks were found in the schools’ structures. This was also in response to the Cebu City Council’s request to assess the condition of the schools and the proposed relocation site.

According to the OBO, cracks were observed in the structural elements of the school buildings, which need to be rehabilitated through retrofitting. They also reviewed reports from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-7 and the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), which classified the area as highly prone to landslides.

“The same report also indicates that soil erosion may occur at any time, posing a danger to the public due to soil and structural instability,” the OBO noted, adding that further problems were also identified in the schools’ plumbing, electrical, electronic, and mechanical systems.

On the matter of relocation, the OBO stressed that the proposed site is bounded by sloping terrain and the Kinalumsan River. Because of this, they said a retaining wall with protective fencing is needed to prevent soil erosion, slope failure, and possible flooding hazards—ensuring both site stability and student safety.

The OBO also reported that a bridge is under construction to provide access to the relocation site. However, they added that there are existing houses built on the proposed lot.

Earlier, the CDRRMO asked MGB-7 to conduct a Geohazard Assessment Report following the discovery of visible ground cracks in Buhisan Elementary School. Prior to that, the OBO and CDRRMO had also recommended a risk assessment after finding cracks in the walls, slabs, floors, and beneath the beams of the Principal’s Office and several classrooms.

In its report, MGB-7 recommended further engineering studies to identify proper measures against the landslide hazard. They discouraged any additional development, such as playgrounds, in landslide-prone areas and suggested the installation of a proper drainage system to divert water flow.

A joint inspection by the city’s disaster team and the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) on March 19, 2025, confirmed that a cave-in in the area had worsened, forcing the Cebu City Government to close the Principal’s Office. Classes were shifted to modular learning as heavy rainfall heightened the risks.

On the same day, the Cebu City Council approved the disaster body’s recommendation to declare Buhisan Elementary School and its surrounding area under a State of Emergency through a resolution filed by Councilor Joel Garganera, then chairman of the council’s Committee on Disaster. — /FPL (FREEMAN)