Due to geohazard threat: Buhisan school at risk of closure

CEBU, Philippines — The Buhisan Elementary School in Cebu City is at risk of closure and is being considered for relocation following a geohazard assessment that identified structural vulnerabilities, posing potential dangers to students and staff during natural calamities.The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) requested the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) to conduct a geo-hazard assessment of the school. The request followed an earlier inspection by the CDRRMO and the Office of the Building Official (OBO), which revealed cracks in the walls, slabs, floors, and beneath the beams of the principal’s office and classrooms.

In its report, MGB-7 provided several recommendations based on its observations. The bureau advised that additional engineering studies be conducted by professionals to determine the necessary measures to mitigate landslide hazards. Further development in identified landslide-prone areas, including playgrounds, was discouraged. Additionally, MGB-7 suggested the installation of an appropriate drainage system to redirect water flow away from the school’s foundation.

The report also emphasized the importance of keeping identified landslide-prone areas off-limits to the school community. MGB-7 recommended placing warning signs in unstable sections to alert students and staff.

For long-term safety, the agency strongly recommended the relocation of the school if the results of further geotechnical and engineering studies prove unfavorable.

“Given the evidence of active slope instability and structural damage, the priority should be the relocation of the school to safer ground to ensure the safety of the students and teachers,” the report stated.

However, MGB-7 cautioned that any potential relocation site should undergo a thorough geotechnical assessment to ensure its suitability and stability. The report also highlighted the deterioration of slope protection structures, commonly known as ripraps, some of which were found to be in poor condition.

“The Buhisan Elementary School is situated in a generally rugged terrain, specifically along the moderately to steeply sloping mountain bounding the Kinalumsan River valley,” the report further detailed.

Buhisan Elementary School currently has 724 students.

Following MGB-7’s findings, CDRRMO chairman Ramil Ayuman said that a resolution had been drafted to request the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) and OBO to conduct further structural analysis and identify potential relocation sites.

Ayuman said the school principal expressed willingness to relocate if necessary.

“Niingon sya nga willing ra gyud pud siya but of course, kinahanglan ni og proper coordination with DepEd, Local School Board, ug sa City Government,” Ayuman said.

Any proposed relocation sites will be submitted to the Local School Board (LSB) for consideration.

On Friday, the DEPW conducted its assessment of the school’s structural integrity. Engineer Jonathan Tumulak of the DEPW attributed the visible cracks to poor water management, which causes rainwater runoff to seep into the soil and destabilize the riprap, leading to structural damage.

“Ang atong rainwater runoff walay tarong agianan, mu sip jud sya sa atong yuta nga maoy nakatulod sa atong riprap nga maoy naka-cause sa cracks,” Tumulak explained.

He further assessed that the site has become too dangerous to continue housing students and recommended relocating the school if a suitable vacant lot is available nearby.

“Aron safe ang mga bata, ug di mahago og tangas. Kay tangason man kaayo atong elementary,” Tumulak added.

In the meantime, DEPW suggested retrofitting the existing school structures to strengthen them temporarily while awaiting relocation. However, Tumulak admitted that the current school buildings require a complete overhaul.

He also stressed the urgency of the relocation, as there are already visible “signs of failure” in some sections of the school. Retrofitting could take two to three months, but he emphasized that addressing the rainwater runoff issue is crucial in preventing further damage.

“Ato lang sa i-strengthen aron magamit pa nato siya, pero ang main problem, which is katong rainwater management, mao gyud tuy kinahanglan natong i-address,” said Tumulak.--/FPL