CEBU CITY – The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau in Central Visayas recommended the relocation of at least 41 families living in a Cebu City mountain village after the area experienced cracks and earth movement last week.

Ma. Elena Lupo, MGB-7 senior geologist, made the recommendation after she inspected Sitio Nangka, Barangay Sinsin, located 32 kilometers from the city proper.

Some cracks have 10-centimeter gaps and were very deep, she said.

Because of the cracks, a 300-meter stretch of the barangay road collapsed, Lupo said. Until Friday, motorcycles could still use half of the road, she said.

In an interview on Wednesday, Lupo said residents had informed her about minor landslides in the area since 2000. The incidence worsened last week after the series of heavy downpour, she said.

She explained that the highly fractured volcanic rocks in the area could have caused the cracks and earth movement.

Lupo said that the earth movement could continue and endanger more lives. She asked barangay officials to close the area to the public, especially children.

Lupo also recommended that the city government conduct a geo-technical study before it decided to rehabilitate or find another alternative road for the residents. The study, she said, would determine ground stability.