Local execs eye relocating all residents in Samar landslide-prone area

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines—Authorities are planning to empty what was tagged as a landslide-prone area in Catbalogan City populated by at least 100 families following a November 22 landslide that killed a boy there.

Nida Aroda, Catbalogan social welfare officer, said on Thursday at least 100 families are living in Sitio Cogao in Barangay Bunuanon, which was declared a danger zone after the landslide.

Aroza said the city’s disaster risk reduction management council met last Friday about the plan. Barangay Lagundi was identified as a possible relocation site where cheap houses would be built for the uprooted residents.

But a regional official of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the village tagged as relocation site was also possibly a danger zone.

James Leones, regional chief geologist of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, said in a phone interview that some parts of Lagundi are also landslide prone.

“In fact, based in our study, it is highly susceptible to landslide due to its location,” said Leones.

Lagundi is about five kilometers from the city proper and sits on a mountain.

Leones said if MGB could have its way, it would recommend another relocation site for residents of Barangay Bunuanon.

“A good relocation should be safe from any danger, from landslide,” Leones said.

He said the relocation of these families should be done immediately since more rains are expected in the area, which could bring more landslides.

“Remember, most of the landslide incidents are water-induced landslides,” Leones said.

He said more than 20 of Catbalogan’s 57 villages are landslide prone, including Bunuanon and Lagundi.

A check made recently by the MGB showed many structures in Catbalogan are built on unstable areas.