DAVAO CITY – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 11 (MGB-11) has recommended the immediate evacuation and relocation of families living in critical areas in Davao del Sur, which were severely hit by the recent earthquakes.
Last month, three strong tremors hit Davao del Sur and neighboring areas resulting in damage to properties, injuries, and several casualties.
In a report released on Monday, MGB-11 said the recommendation was based on the rapid ocular inspection conducted last November 2-6, which found instability of the ground and slopes attributed to the recent earthquakes.
MGB-11 identified the barangays subject for immediate evacuation as Upper Bala, New Opon, Kanapolo and Tagaytay in Magsaysay town; and Kimlawis and San Jose in Kiblawan.
Beverly Mae Brebante, the officer in charge of MGB-11 Geosciences Division, said the inspection confirmed occurrences of tension cracks and landslides in several barangays in Bansalan, Magsaysay, and Kiblawan.
MGB-11 bared that the majority of the houses were built on the roadside situated along ridges, making them generally susceptible to landslides.
“There are residents in these critical areas. Definitely, we recommend for immediate evacuation,” Brebante said.
Jesil Jaum, Bansalan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (MDRRMO) officer, said they still have to plan the forced evacuation of the remaining affected families in the said areas.
Included in the MGB report is a recommendation for the immediate removal of landslide debris along the creek to prevent damming which may cause more damages if not addressed.
Further, the agency advised the barangay LGUs and MDRRMO to constantly monitor the existing slope instability (tension cracks/ruptures/slumping) which may be aggravated during heavy rainfall and possible aftershocks.
The MGB-11 report noted that the earthquakes affected dozens of houses and a school was shut down due to the presence of cracks. (PNA)
