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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Municipal gov't in Negros Occidental warns of sinkhole

Municipal gov't in Negros Occidental warns of sinkhole

Published Feb 21, 2026 09:35 pm
THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Negros Island Region (MGB-NIR), along with other concerned government agencies, inspect an area in Sitio Bairan, Barangay Gen. Luna, Toboso, Negros Occidental for a possible sinkhole. (Toboso MDRRMO)
THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Negros Island Region (MGB-NIR), along with other concerned government agencies, inspect an area in Sitio Bairan, Barangay Gen. Luna, Toboso, Negros Occidental for a possible sinkhole. (Toboso MDRRMO)
The municipal government has urged people in Sitio Bairan, Barangay Gen. Luna, Toboso, Negros Occidental to be vigilant as ground movement has been detected in an area suspected to be a sinkhole.
Hospicio Carbajosa Jr., head of the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO), warned that continued heavy rainfall could further widen cracks as the land has been declared unstable.
Authorities have cordoned off the 60-meter-diameter affected zone but some residents still pass through to transport produce since the designated alternate route is considerably longer. Carbajosa advised residents to exercise caution and remain vigilant.
Ground subsidence has reached about 11 feet and one inch and increased five feet to 16 feet in just five days.
The Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Negros Island Region (MGB-NIR), together with other concerned agencies, has inspected the area to assess the situation.
Carbajosa stressed that a comprehensive scientific study is necessary and noted that MGB-NIR plans to borrow specialized equipment from MGB-Western Visayas for a deeper investigation. The timeline of the assessment will depend on the availability of this equipment.
During the inspection, the team evaluated the area’s topography, terrain, and crack measurements.
They are also looking into the possibility that underground cavities beneath the limestone soil may have triggered the subsidence.
One house was directly affected, located within the 60-meter diameter zone. Structural concerns include damage to flooring, walls, and posts, but Carbajosa said the house is unoccupied, and construction has been temporarily halted.
The ground movement was first discovered on Feb. 12 near a highway section built on limestone soil. No major changes in the road condition have been observed so far.

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Sinkhole Toboso Negros Occidental
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