EDC: Geothermal plant workers safe after 6.5 quake

TAGUM CITY — An official of the Energy Development Corporation (EDC) has assured that all its employees working in the Mt. Apo Geothermal Plant are safe and accounted for following the powerful 6.5-magnitude quake that jolted central Mindanao last Thursday.

In a statement, Romy Kee, plant facility head, said they would like to allay fears of the families and relatives of their 100 employees amid speculations circulating in social media that they were harmed by the recent quake.

Fresh incidents of landslide have been triggered by Thursday’s tremor in Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City, site of the geothermal plants.

Kee said the company’s power plants at the foot of Mount Apo “were initially affected and were put on turning gear operation only” as a result of the tremor.

Although the facilities require immediate structural assessment, Kee said they were prioritizing “the safety of our employees, their families, and our community in Brgy. Ilomavis.”

Kee said they have assisted the relocation of some 1,400 residents of Ilomavis village so they are safe from the landslides.

The recent tremors have resulted to more landslides in villages near the foot of Mt. Apo.

Landslides and ground fissures dotted villages in Makilala, Kidapawan City and Magpet, all in Cotabato province.

In Batasan, Makilala, residents fled their homes after part of the mountain started to erode, walking six kilometers to the national highway.

Displaced residents stayed at the roadsides, waiting for vehicles that would bring them to the evacuation centers.

Virgos Landas, a resident of Batasan village said all their houses were destroyed and the portion of the mountain started to erode.

The landslides also obstructed the flow of water from Matibago creek. They feared that the accumulated water could cause flashfloods when unleashed.

In Barangay Perez of Kidapawan, residents of sitio Embasi left their homes after noticing the erosion of the mountainside.

Marvin Balimba, staff of City Councilor Datu Radin Igwas said the displaced residents were temporarily resettled at Perez Elementary School, sitio Lapan Elementary School and sitio Embasi basketball court.

Roads to Kansal Falls, a known tourist attraction at the foot of Mt Apo in Barangay Perez are not passable due to landslides.

In Bongolanon, Magpet, a ground fissure caused leakage in the pipeline of Metro Kidapawan Water District. Magpet Vice Mayor Rogelio Maranon said the leakage resulted to the loss of water supply in the entire town.

The ground fissure also resulted to the evacuation of residents who now stay in sitio Waterfalls./lzb

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Inquirer calls for support for the victims of earthquakes in Mindanao

Responding to appeals for help, the Inquirer is extending its relief to the families affected by the recent earthquakes in Mindanao.

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