GENERAL SANTOS CITY (PNA) – The provincial government of South Cotabato is pushing for the immediate relocation of at least 50 families from a remote sitio in Lake Sebu town, who evacuated early this month due to the emergence of ground tension cracks in the area.
Rolly Doane Aquino, head of the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO), said Friday they were closely working with the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Region 12 for the identification of a relocation site for the affected residents of Sitio Tuburan, Barangay Ned.
He said the barangay council had recommended several proposed relocation areas, but these were not approved by MGB-12 due to possible hazards.
“Our top priority right now is to permanently relocate the affected families and we already allotted some funds for that,” he said in a media forum.
Aquino said the local government needed a certification from MGB-12 before it could push through with the relocation.
He said the previous relocation sites identified by the barangay did not pass the agency’s evaluation due to the presence of sinkholes and coal deposits.
The presence of the coal deposits reportedly prevent the inner portion of the soil to absorb rainwater and can trigger landslides or emergence of tension cracks, he said.
Aquino, who inspected the site several times since the evacuation of residents last October 6, said it affected residential areas, a school, farmlands, and portions of the national road traversing the village.
The official said the evacuees were staying at a temporary relocation area in Sitio Tuburan, and were receiving relief assistance from the provincial government.
He said they were prepared to send some construction materials to facilitate the establishment of temporary shelters for them.
Aquino said the Integrated Provincial Health Office recently sent mosquito nets and related supplies to protect the evacuees from mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, malaria, and filariasis.
He said they have coordinated with the Department of Public Works and Highways-Region 12 for the repair of the damaged portions of the national road in the area due to the tension cracks and landslides.