DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/06 December) –The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) has warned residents living along the slopes of Shrine Hills and along the banks of the Davao River that the areas where they live are unsafe.
Beverly Mae Brebante, MGB senior science specialist, said that the slopes of Shrine Hills, where a landslide occurred in 2007, have been among those identified as unsafe in the geohazard survey conducted by the MGB in the region.
”The northwestern slopes along the Diversion Road where a slope failure occurred in 2007 were among those identified in the city as prone for another slope failure, especially as rain and floods are coming,” Brebante said during Monday’s Kapehan sa SM.
”We have seen houses in this area and we are issuing this advice so that the local government can arrange for their immediate relocation,” she said, adding the MGB is set to submit their geo-hazard report to concerned local government units this month.
She also said that areas along the banks of the Davao River, especially those that have a history of landslide, are equally at risk.
”The top of the Shrine Hills is relatively stable but the areas along the slopes are weak,” Brebante said.
She also said the cracks found inside the Las Terrazas establishment in Maa should also be looked into because they might also be early warning signs.
”If you have cracks, you have movement. It shows horizontal and vertical displacement. Once rainwater seeps in, the cracks will widen, so they really demand attention,” she said, citing the results of the MGB’s detailed geohazard assessment. (Germelina Lacorte/MindaNews)