Landslide hits Buhisan; 14 families evacuated

At least 14 were evacuated yesterday after a landslide hit sitio Puti, barangay Buhisan, Cebu City.

Romulo Guarin of the City Risk Reduction Management Council said the landslide did not damage properties but barangay officials fear that continuous landslides would eventually reach the nearby houses.

CCRRMC has declared the area a danger zone.

Since December last year, four landslides occurred in the area. The latest took place yesterday dawn.

“We have already requested the city engineering department to check the area. We are worried about the stability of the soil especially if rains would continue,” said barangay councilor Ramil Rago.

It was past 2 a.m. when residents of sitio Puti called out for help when they heard loud sounds of collapsing from the upper area.

“I ran out of the house when I heard a loud sound. It was like a dump truck pouring out soil and stones,” Cris Saballos said.

Police and volunteers from the CCRRMC sent teams to evacuate the residents to safer grounds.

Some residents immediately went out, others were able to bring some of their belongings.

Arcadia Ungos, 81, secured her portable karaoke system.

“I was asleep. My son woke me up and told me that there’s a landslide. I immediately grabbed my videoke and went out with my grandchildren. I was shaking. I was so scared,” she said in Cebuano.

In the morning, residents found boulders and large amount of soil near the houses at the foot of the mountain.

“If the rocks continued rolling, someone could have been hurt or our homes could have been destroyed. This is the fourth time that a landslide happened in our area, and this is probably the biggest,” said resident Rosita Pantonia.

Pantonia said the rainfall in the past days may have softened the soil.

The landslide damaged water pipes of the Metro Cebu Water District (MCWD), which gets water from the Buhisan Dam.

Guarin said 14 families or 66 individuals were evacuated from the.

He said the evacuated families are now sheltered at the barangay sports complex and will stay there until further advice.

Rago said barangay officials would help take care of their food.

The barangay will also ask the Cebu city government to help find a relocation site for the affected families. /with a report from Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac