Landslide topples brgy hall in Valencia town

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — The barangay hall of Puhagan in Valencia town of Negros Oriental Wednesday evening finally gave in and fell several meters below after another landslide occurred in the area due to continuous rains this week.

A portion of the abandoned concrete building had collapsed last month and it was just a matter of time before the two-story barangay hall would eventually fall down the already vulnerable slope, said Dems Demecillo, Puhagan barangay secretary.

Rina Joy Concha, a working student of Puhagan Barangay Chair Leonarda Sarita, recounted that around 8:20 p.m. she heard what sounded like a huge rumbling sound and a large thud near their house. She looked out the window to check and saw that the barangay hall building had toppled down the slope.

Valencia rescue units, the police and other officials had proceeded to the area to assess the damage of the landslide and the vulnerability of those living in the area.

At least seven houses are within the area of landslide although it was not immediately clear if the residents were ordered to vacate the place and transfer to safer ground.

Last September 17, a portion of the dilapidated barangay hall had already crumbled about 200 to 300 meters down the slope in another landslide after heavy rains inundated Valencia.

Since then, the Puhagan Barangay Council held its sessions and other activities temporarily at the house of Sarita. However, Sarita’s house also incurred minor damage during Wednesday evening’s landslide and she was also advised to transfer immediately, said Demecillo.

Sarita, who returned to Puhagan Wednesday evening after learning of the landslide, has started moving her stuff to another house she owned at a lower portion of the barangay, he said.

The Energy Development Corporation, which owns and operates the Southern Negros Geothermal Project in Valencia, has offered to the Puhagan Barangay Council the temporary use of its Energy Camp site until options for a new barangay hall are finalized, Demecillo added.

The Puhagan council had earlier sought the help of EDC to provide a lot where the new barangay hall will be constructed. Mayor Edgar Teves, the Barangay Council and EDC have already started negotiations on the matter. — Judy Flores Partlow (FREEMAN)