Naga mayor says MGM-7 suggestion inappropriate

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-7) has recommended a “no habitation” zone within a 150-meter radius in sitio Pangilatan in barangays Cantao-an and Inayagan, Naga City after a rock rolled down a mountain and pinned down a couple to death last week. 

But Mayor City Valdemar Chiong said the suggestion cannot be implemented because it’s not easy to uproot the people and a relocation site will have to be found for them.

“Unya ato silang palayason? Asa man nato sila ibutang? Lisod kaayo na sila papahawa-on karon diha,” Chiong told The Freeman. 

Chiong expressed concern over the death of couple Dionisio Vilarmia, 42, and Julieta, 47, when a boulder 0.5-meter in diameter fell on their hut. 

The incident is attributed to the downpour on that day, and the slope gradient of 70 to 80 degrees is considered very steep. 

The mayor has sent a letter to Cantao-an and Inayagan barangay captains to tell them to warn residents about the inherent danger and the risk involved. 

Data from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) in Mactan showed that last September 4 from 1:40 p.m. to 2:47 p.m., it recorded a rainfall of 23.7 millimeters and at 9:35 p.m. it went up to 40.6 millimeters. 

Loreto B. Alburo, MGB-7 regional director is calling on all local chief executives to be prepared considering that heavy rains are expected to come according to the forecast of the weather bureau.

Alburo said it is important that local chief executives should give more attention to critical areas that are found to be highly vulnerable to flooding and landslides.

The MGB-7 said the communities should also pay attention to the warnings and should leave immediately the area if it is already declared as “no habitation” site by MGB-7. 

To recall, sitios Pangpang, Tayad-tayad, and Balico are rated as very critical to landslide susceptibility. 

The same findings in August also revealed that sitios Proper Cantao-an, Township, and Riverside were classified as highly prone to landslides. (FREEMAN)