2 villages in Baguio, Benguet sinking

BAGUIO CITY , Philippines  – More than a hundred residents in two mountain communities here and in nearby Itogon town in Benguet have fled their homes as their villages have reportedly begun to sink following the onslaught of typhoon “Pepeng.”

City disaster officials are closely monitoring the situation in Sitios 7 and 8 in Pinsao proper after the continuous heavy rainfall has left a huge crack in the ground.

Lawyer Peter Fianza, action officer of the City Disaster Coordinating Council, said more than 100 families have sought shelter in their relatives’ homes elsewhere in the city.

Villager Ernesto Ganaden, whose two-story house is being threatened to be buried in the event of a major landslide, said his family has evacuated.

“Haan min ammo aramiden mi (We do not know what to do),” he said.

The huge crack in Pinsao reportedly began during typhoon “Kiko” and further widened due to tropical storm “Ondoy” and Pepeng.

Authorities have warned the residents not to return to their homes to prevent loss of lives.

In Itogon town, wide cracks in the ground have similarly placed residents in Barangay Luneta in a dangerous situation.

Authorities in Benguet are still looking for an evacuation area as the school earlier designated as temporary shelter for the affected villagers had been washed out by rampaging floodwaters at the height of Pepeng.

The eroded dirt mountain roads leading to the village have hampered relief efforts, prompting Benguet Gov. Nestor Fongwan to seek the help of the National Disaster Coordinating Council.