MGB to LGU: Relocate Magpantay residents

MGB to LGU: Relocate Magpantay residents
February 23-29, 2012

By Georgene Rhena P. Quilaton-Tambiga

     Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) Geologist refused to approve the return of residents in Magpantay, Sitio Pano-ulan, Barangay Guadalupe after the site investigation on February 25, Saturday.

     MGB's Dr. Leilanie Suerte and Joel Villanueva arrived in San Carlos following request from the San Carlos City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (SCCDRRMC) to conduct an investigation on a crack that appeared on the mountain of Magpantay.

No threat

     Suerte together with Seismologist Noelynna T. Ramos of the University of Philippines-National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS) concluded that the crack is not the real threat to the residents of about 40 families. The crack was only caused by vertical displacement, is less than a meter deep, and only affects the top soil.

Steep climb. Dr. Leilanie Suerte of the Mines & Geo-Sciences Bureau inspects the mountain of Magpantay and discovers lose boulders are more threatening than the crack.

SCCDRRMC Action Officer Joe Alingasa and Suerte stand on the buffer zone where one huge lose boulder temporily rests. 

Landslide zone

     However, numerous lose boulders (basalt, volcanic rocks) were found on the gully (steep slope that acts as the natural passage of water from the mountain top) which when eroded will sweep houses on its way downhill.

     "Given the right combination of factors such as earthquake and heavy rain, a landslide could take place," Suerte explained.

     The area is now considered a landslide danger zone and residents are advised not to stay in their houses at night especially during rainy days.

Recommendations

     Other recommendations include that if the residents should go back, rescuers be assigned for 24-hr, seven-day shift to alarm them should a landslide take place. Disaster and evacuation training and drills should also be given to residents emphasizing when and how to evacuate and where to go.

     But the permanent and best solution, Suerte offered, is relocating the community at least one kilometer away from the buffer zone at the foot of the mountain where lose boulders (debris from Mt. Canlaon after it erupted hundreds of years ago) are likely to fall.

What does the future hold?  Mateo Casipong, 54, left in photo, reflects on what the future holds for him and his family as their area is now declared a danger zone. Alingasa, right, told NRWP that there is no regret on evacuating the residents to a nearby elementary school.
                                                      

 Findings

                The geologist, who also conducted inspections in several Isabela and La Castellana barangays on crack reports, found that the mountain is an underground water source. One hand-span from the top, its soil is wet despite three days without rain prior to the MGB's visit. This makes the soil soft and unable to keep boulders in place. Some boulders as large as two meters in diameter (estimates) are found directly at the back of houses of light materials.

Voluntary evacuation

                Remedios Casipong, 54, a resident, said her brother-in-law, Romy Casipong, first noticed the crack at roughly 270 m above sea level. On February 16, the families started evacuating as Barangay Guadalupe and Negros Oriental continue to feel the aftershocks of the tectonic earthquake last February 6.

                SCCDRRMC Action Officer Joe Recalix Alingasa said a community discussion will be conducted soon with Guadalupe Barangay Captain Godofredo Salimbaga.

                Based on initial reports, the residents are farmers working on sugarcane fields supposedly owned by the Magpantay Family. But Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, Alingasa related, has ordered the City Assessor's Office to double check if the said family still legally owns the land.

                Although some personnel of the City Engineering Office questioned the early pre-emptive evacuation of Magpantay residents despite the lack of advisory from MGB, SCCDRRMC maintained that the precaution was valid and the threat to people's lives was eminent as confirmed now by the findings of Suerte, Ramos and Villanueva.

                Suerte said she will officially report her findings to MGB Regional Office VI so that an official evacuation order will be properly channeled.

                As residents brace their future relocation, they are temporarily staying at Panoulan Elementary School while their male workers go back to their farms at daytime to till the land and feed livestock.