MGB monitors “explosions”in Manipis

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 has recommen-ded the continuous monitoring of “explosions” heard by some residents in Barangay Manipis, Talisay City.

 At least two explosions were heard by some residents last Monday morning.

MGB-7 regional director Loreto B. Alburo said that the cause of the explosion could not be determined for now as there was no surface evidence as initially described by some barangays officials.

As recounted, the first “explosion” was stronger than the second one.

 Some residents of neighboring Barangay Camp-7 in Minglanilla also reportedly felt the explosion but in a lesser intensity.

 Alburo sent senior science research specialist Abraham R. Lucero Jr. to conduct the investigation.

 In a detailed mapping in Talisay City conducted on March 12, 2012, Barangay Manipis has been classified as highly susceptible to landslides due to generally steep slopes, highly fractured rocks, and presence of landslides.

With this, Alburo in a statement, urged the local officials in Talisay City to take the precautionary measures by evacuating residents as most of the city’s mountain barangays have been mapped to be highly susceptible to landslides.

 He said that heavy rains brought about by super typhoon “Yolanda” could trigger episodes of landslides and flooding.  (FREEMAN)