Boljoon readies evacuation for residents in danger

CEBU, Philippines — The Boljoon Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (PDRRMO) is preparing for possible evacuation of residents in Sitio Calfranco, Barangay Lower Becerril who are near the area where a landslide occurred in October.

Boljoon Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Eutemio Ternate said they continue to monitor the progress of Typhoon Urduja even if it is not expected to hit the southern part of Cebu.

Since there is no cellular phone signal in the landslide-stricken areas, the local government unit ensured that they have two-way radio connections.

Ternate said that after more than one month, the water in the dams that were formed by the landslide maintained its current volume of around 230,000 cubic meters.

Back in early November, the combined water volume in the dams was reported to be around 450,000 cubic meters.

He said their team has successfully reduced the water by widening the outlet of the natural dam leading the water out to the Lusapon River.

However, due to the rain showers the recent days, there is a possibility that the water will rise again.

The team finds it hard to discharge the water in the first dam because the heavy equipment cannot be safely used considering that the land has softened again after the incessant rains in the past days.

Tarnate also said access to the road that was blocked by the landslide is still prohibited after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) identified it as a permanent danger zone.

The diversion road remains to be the only route directly connecting the town center to the mountain barangays. —with Ashlee Love A. Marzon & Niña C. Collamat (FREEMAN)