MGB: Landslides threaten 2 Mt. Province villages

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines  â€“ The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has ordered the immediate evacuation of at least 56 families in Bontoc, Mt. Province as landslides threaten their villages from being wiped out.

MGB Cordillera director Fay April said the cracks in the mountain just above the two sitios in Barangay Caneo could lead to massive landslides. 

Apil, along with personnel of the provincial risk reduction and management office and Office of the Civil Defense, recently conducted an ocular inspection in the two villages.

This came following reports that a portion of the mountain was about to collapse due to continued erosion.

A horizontal crack of about 96 meters, which had slid down by about four meters, was evident in a portion of the mountain, Apil said. 

Authorities said there is a “big possibility” that the crack will further widen and possibly erode, burying the houses below.

Reports said a chapel and a public elementary school are also at risk once the portion of the eroding mountain eventually gives in. 

“The best thing for the threatened residents to do is to relocate to safer places and not to wait for the next rain or typhoon so as to prevent the unnecessary loss of lives and property,” Apil said.

Apil said their office is now working closely with the provincial government led by Gov. Leonard Mayaen for possible housing assistance for the affected residents from the Department of Social Welfare and Development.