Ground cracks discovered, residents to be evacuated

CEBU, Philippines — Some residents of a private subdivision in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City, Cebu, were ordered to evacuate after ground cracks were discovered in parts of the area, prompting safety concerns and ongoing technical evaluation by authorities.

The cracks were confirmed following an assessment by the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), which recommended precautionary measures while further studies are being conducted.

City officials in Talisay City implemented the evacuation order, particularly for households located within a 50-meter radius from the identified ground cracks.

To visualize it better, the subdivision site has structures built along the slope of a hill, where cracks were found at the lower side portion.

Post-storm assessment

PENRO head Rodel Bontuyan said the inspection stemmed from post-disaster assessments conducted after Bagyong Tino in November 2025.

According to Bontuyan, their office inspected areas that had been issued permits, including nearby waterways, to check for possible environmental threats.

During the inspection, the technical team identified ground movement concerns affecting properties within the subdivision.

"After bagyong Tino nag-conduct mi’g mga assessments sa mga gi-pang issue-han og permit, and ang sapa gi-pang assess nato," said Bontuyan.

The findings prompted PENRO to recommend that the local government conduct a more detailed assessment and consider evacuating residents as a preventive measure.

City action and monitoring

Bontuyan said the City of Talisay acted on the recommendation and furnished PENRO with a copy of the evacuation order.

The city government also convened meetings with stakeholders, including residents and technical personnel, to brief them on the initial findings.

At the same time, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office conducted its own ground assessment in the affected area.

Bontuyan shared that the situation remains under evaluation, with continued monitoring due to the potential risk of further ground movement.

Need for geo-technical study

Bontuyan emphasized that the issue is far from resolved, noting that the area may require rehabilitation depending on the results of further technical studies.

"Wa’ pa ‘ni nahuman nga istorya tungod kay kinsa ma’y mo-rehabilitate? Kay it really needs rehabilitation," he said.

He explained that the subdivision was developed on a hillside, with the visible cracks appearing in the lower portion of the site.

However, he said the underground configuration of the cracks cannot be determined through surface inspection alone.

Because of this, PENRO is pushing for a geotechnical engineering assessment to determine soil stability and the extent of subsurface movement.

To better understand the situation, PENRO has requested copies of the approved site development plan from the developer and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).

Bontuyan said the documents will allow technical teams to compare the approved design profile with the actual site condition and determine compliance.

He noted that, while the City of Talisay was able to provide some documents, the copies remain insufficient for a conclusive evaluation.

As of now, PENRO is still awaiting the complete development plan from the developer.

Speculations, environmental factors

The issue has led to various speculations, including claims that portions of the area should have been designated as a buffer zone due to its proximity to a steep slope.

Bontuyan said the PENRO cannot make conclusions without reviewing the approved plans and technical requirements at the time of project approval. He also cited environmental factors that could worsen the situation, including rainfall and prolonged heat exposure.

Cebu’s soil type, he said, is prone to water infiltration, which may weaken ground stability once the soil becomes saturated.

Another concern raised by residents is the presence of quarry operations near the subdivision, which some believe may have contributed to the ground cracks.

Bontuyan said PENRO cannot immediately confirm the link but also did not rule out such possibility.

To determine the actual ground condition, the quarry operator hired a geologist to conduct a separate geological review of the area.

However, PENRO has yet to receive the official results of the assessment. While awaiting technical findings, PENRO has decided to temporarily withhold quarry activities in the area, as a precautionary measure.

Bontuyan said the move was intended to provide "peace of mind" to residents and prevent any possible aggravation of ground movement.

Although the operator has submitted documents, the approval process for quarry operations remains on hold pending resolution of the issue.

"Para lang peaceful ang hunahuna sa tanan. Although nag-submit sila’g documents, gi-hold ‘sa namo ang for-approval process na, pending the resolution of this issue," Bontuyan added. — (FREEMAN)