DESPITE the urgency, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) XI admits it will take time to establish relocation sites for displaced victims from the landslide in Masara, Maco.
Capter John Tubo, MGB XI senior supervising geologist, said the local government has a list of recommended relocation sites but these needed to undergo assessment.
“Dili pud mi basta-basta mag [hatag recommendation] kay lisod baya it would be a long term habitation so lisod nga madali-on nato ang study, basin magkaroon pa nga mas lala na disaster,” Tubo said during the Kapehan sa Dabaw, Feb. 19.
He added that the Masara line is a recognized landslide-prone area, making it more difficult to find a safe spot.
The structure of the area lies along the Philippine faultline, which contributes to the weak soil and is one of the contributing factors to the massive landslide that hit the community.
The bureau, along with the Office of the Civil Defense XI and provincial LGU, already conducted aerial inspections on Feb. 8 and Feb. 12.
However, MGB XI geologist Allan Mark Abanilla said, “The result of the aerial inspection shall be subject to ground validation.” He added that a team that will conduct the ground survey will be deployed this week.
Meanwhile, when asked about the community despite the “no build zone” classification in 2008, Tubo said such a declaration can only be done through an ordinance of the LGU. In this case, the bureau can only make a recommendation.
Tubo said that they have already submitted detailed assessment reports to the LGU in 2007-2008, conducted geo-hazard mapping in 2011 and 2014, and updated in 2018, with the same recommendation that the Masara is a “no build zone.”
“Ilang beses po siyang na-assess with the same recommendation which is the relocation of the entire Barangay Masara,” Tubo said.
OCD XI regional director Ednar Dayanghirang called out the LGU to resolve the matter with the MGB, as the latter had already made recommendations years ago.
