Flash floods feared in Bohol barangay

TAGBILARAN CITY — The continuing landslides in a mountainous village in the Bohol town of Jagna are feared to trigger flash floods should the landslide debris move into the main tributary of a river at the foot of the barangay.

Emil Berador, officer-in-charge of the geosciences division of the Bureau of Mines and Geosciences (MGB), aired this apprehension after inspecting the landslide-hit portion of Barangay Mayana.

Since July 11, according to Berador’s team, the soil has been eroding at a rapid rate of 23.08 meters daily and if this trend continues, the landslide debris may flow into the main tributary of the Aliwahan River within the next 15 days.

If this happens, there will be an artificial damming of the river, thus triggering flash floods which could affect the lower areas, the MGB team said.

The ongoing landslides have affected at least 70 hectares in the southern portion of Barangay Mayana, affecting 150 families. The houses of 68 families have been totally destroyed.

Earlier, Undersecretary for Mining and Legal Affairs Deinrado Dimalibot urged the Jagna municipal government to immediately relocate the affected families.

Rep. Eladio Jala, whose third congressional district includes Jagna town, said he was allocating P100,000 from his Priority Development Assistance Fund as financial assistance to the Barangay Mayana families through the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Jala said President Arroyo has expressed concern for the villagers’ plight and suggested that housing units be built for them through Gawad Kalinga.

Mrs. Arroyo has directed the National Disaster Coordinating Council to coordinate with Jagna Mayor Exuperio Lloren and other local officials in looking for relocation sites.

The municipal disaster coordinating council and Barangay Mayana chairman Alberto Aleria initially identified Sitio Libertad as an ideal relocation site, but this was not finalized, municipal information officer Catalino Berou said.

Lloren and Aleria continue to appeal for assistance for the affected villagers.

Local radio station dyRD has sent two truckloads of rice, sardines, noodles and used clothing donated by concerned Boholanons, including mall owners, tricycle drivers and market vendors.

The Cebu-based ABS-CBN Foundation also distributed goods to the landslide victims. The Bohol Chronicle is also readying relief goods from donors for distribution.

The dyRD Inyong Alagad Foundation has launched a fund drive for the Barangay Mayana residents.