CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Central Visayas had advised onlookers to stay away from the sinkhole in Barangay Banhigan, Badian as their presence would put more weight on the affected area, which will trigger more cracks on the ground.
Senior Geologist Josephine Aleta said the sinkhole would remain active or moving if onlookers or kibitzers continue to go near it.
“Naa pay cracks nearby unya duna gyud ni possibility nga mudako because of additional weight nga maka-disturb sa ground kay daghan lagi mag-sige ug tan-aw,” Aleta explained.
Aleta said a cave could have been formed beneath and the cave roof collapsed due to intense rainfall at that time.
“Dunay possibility that there could be a water system and, aside from that, a formation of a cave underneath is also a possibility,” Aleta said.
The town is inherent of marl, a kind of soil combined with limestone and clay, which is water soluble. It is a natural occurrence in the area having a sinkhole formation and the recent cave in could have been due to tropical depression Queenie, which affected towns in southern Cebu.
The area where the sinkhole is located has since been cordoned and people are only allowed to stay about three meters away to avoid more ground cracks. MGB is yet to conduct a ground-penetrating radar survey pending the completion of the necessary requirements of the town.
In the entire Cebu, Badian is the last target of the MGB in conducting their geo-hazard mapping.
As of now, the sinkhole measures about 15 meters in diameter and six meters deep, according to Dr. Eddie Llamedo, spokesperson of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)-7.
In their initial meeting, DENR-7 and the MGB Central Office agreed to prioritize the assessment of the sinkholes in Badian and Kinatarcan, Sta. Fe using GPR survey.
Llamedo said they have yet to receive a formal request from Badian for assessment.
Two geologists from the region, Chief Geologist Al Emil Berador and Aleta, also underwent training on GPR handling. — Ria Mae Y. Booc/JMO (FREEMAN)