Due to land cracks; Guardo: Move Adlaon families

CEBU, Philippines - Following an ocular inspection, Cebu City Councilor Jerry Guardo yesterday said part of Sitio Tabok II, Barangay Adlaon is not an ideal place to live in due to the crack in the land caused by recent rains.

He advised the barangay officials to look for an appropriate relocation site for the affected families.

The councilor, who heads the City Council committee on infrastructure, visited the area after receiving a report from Barangay Captain Narra that they discovered a crack on the ground measuring two meters.

He said the pronouncement is also based on the evaluation made by Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau-7 personnel who were also present during the inspection.

Guardo said the cracks are present within an area of close to one hectare, affecting at least 10 families, which are now temporarily sheltered at a vacant building of the barangay.

“Among nakita nga ang poste sa mga balay ngadto nius-os gyud, maong ang mga farmers nabalaka sa maong sitwasyon,” he told The FREEMAN.

Guardo said the farmers can still plant their crops but if there is continuous rainfall, the residents are advised not to go to the area to prevent any accident.

The crack in Adlaon was found last Wednesday following the discovery of a similar opening of the ground in Sitio Tawagan, Barangay Sirao, near what is now the famous Sirao flower farm.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña earlier ordered the flower farm closed to the public because of the cracks on the ground.

“I understand the opinion of the mayor pero when I listened to the people there nabalaka sila sa sitwasyon and ang akoa lang pud is for the safety of the people,” he said.

“Because of the large tension crack spotted above the flower garden sa Sirao akong giawhag ang Department of Tourism, including the Cebu City Tourism Commission Office, nga dili lang una nato pabisitaon atong mga tourist, visitors, including guests, didto,” he added.

Guardo said the ground is still unstable and it had been raining lately, increasing the risk of landslide. (FREEMAN)