Landslide closes road in Talisay

CEBU, Philippines- The road at Barangay Manipis in Talisay City has been closed to this day due to a landslide that occurred last Saturday dawn.

Barangay Captain Emie Cabiluna told The FREEMAN there were no reported injury or casualty, but the landslide covered the whole portion of the road and rendered it inaccessible. The bridge, connecting Talisay City and Toledo City, was also damaged, he said.

Allan Napoles, resident of Barangay Biga in Toledo City, said he passes the road everyday when he goes to work but it is now difficult for him to take this route. "Hasol kaayo ni labi na og dugay ni matagad kay diha baya mi pirme mag-agian kay layo na kaayo to nga adto mi muagi sa Naga City," he said.

Cabiluna immediately called his councilmen to release funds for the purchase of equipment for the putting up of a makeshift stairway over the cliff, abutting the closed road, which has an estimated depth of about 100 feet.

"Bisan pa sa gilawmun sa pangpang amu nalang antosun kay lisud man sad og matanggong mi. Wa na mi trabaho ani," Napoles added.

Cabiluna said there was no rain when the landslide happened. Authorities believed the site was disturbed during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and the quarrying done by QM Builders for the road-widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Cabiluna said she is now communicating with Cebu 1st district Representative Gerald Anthony Gullas for assistance to the barangay, where the landslide took place for the second time.

Raymond Silva, another resident of Manipis said they used the landslide as their source of livelihood because they help people for a fee in crossing the cliff. "Depende lang sad sa amung gitabangan og ila ba ming tagaan bisag pila basta dili lang sila mobuhi og bati nga estorya," he said.

Usually, QM Builders helped to clear the landslide area, but this time due to the expiration of its permit in hauling, it is no longer giving assistance.

Authorities meanwhile put up a signage at Barangay Lagtang to inform motorist to avoid passing the area towards Manipis.-RAE (FREEMAN)