Wednesday, July 15, 2009 [ manilatimes.net ]
BAGUIO CITY: At least 10 hectare of land within Poblacion, Mankayan has been declared a danger zone or “critical area” and required that all structures there be relocated immediately due to ground subsidence and in the wake of a huge landslide on June 5.
This was the finding and latest recommendation of the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources following a survey in areas previously delineated as geohazard sites.
MGB Director Engineer Samuel Paragas said that his office has recommended to the local government of Mankayan to cause the immediate relocation of all structures in areas labeled as “critical”and have the area utilized as open space or Tree Park.
But Paragas acknowledged that the recommendation for an immediate relocation of public and private structures to safer ground would entail huge resources, which will require intervention from the national government like the National Disaster Coordinating Council.
He said that the request for the municipal government of Mankayan to relocate public and private structures from Poblacion to barangay Bulalacao can be traced back in the ’50s but such calls have never materialized up to now.
MGB experts like Engrs. Benjie Espejo and Felizardo Gacad also said that based on the latest geohazard survey and assessment within Poblacion, Mankayan, there are a number of households and business establishments in areas delineated as “high hazard” sites.
The agency recommended that the relocation of residents within “high hazard” area should be considered as a long-term solution and the local government of Mankayan should allow no construction of new public and private structures.
-- Harley F. Palangchao
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