LANDSLIDE. A portion of a mountain which was used to be a quarry site in Sitio Riverside, Pulangbato, a hinterland village of Cebu City almost covered a house, in this Wednesday (Aug. 16, 2023) photo taken by the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office. Six families were evacuated to safer ground. (Photo courtesy of Cebu City PIO)
CEBU CITY – A landslide caused by heavy rains displaced at least six families on Tuesday as a southwest monsoon or “habagat” rains continue to threaten residents of the hinterland village of Pulangbato in this capital city.
Harold Alcontin, head of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO), said the landslide in Pulangbato occurred at Sitio Riverside Tuesday afternoon because of nonstop rains.
He said their personnel were immediately deployed in the area to facilitate the evacuation of the families and brought them to their relatives who live in nearby sitio.
Bags of rice and some canned goods were provided to the landslide victims.
DSWS head Ester Concha also said affected families will each receive PHP10,000 cash assistance and housing materials from the city government.
The CCDRMO head tapped a private contractor to clear the debris in Sitio Riverside but will not allow the affected families to return to their abandoned homes until they are assured that the area is safe.
In February this year, 175 individuals from Pulangbato were forcibly evacuated also because of a landslide.
The area used to be a quarry site and was abandoned by the private operator.
The CCDRMO has recommended placing the entire quarry site in Sitio Riverside as a “danger zone” to prevent families from inhabiting the area. (PNA)
