Set up quarries in landslide areas — Busay captain

The barangay captain of Busay, Cebu City, plans to set up quarry sites to flatten slopes of landslide-prone areas in his area, but environment official warned this may endanger residents.

Busay barangay captain Eliodoro “Yodi” Sanchez said operating quarry sites could be an affordable solution to the landslide problem.

“I will inquire if we can quarry other areas so that the slopes will be flattened to lessen landslides. That’s the best we can do,” said Sanchez.

Five minor landslides occured in Busay since the Feb. 6 earthquake, a common occurence during heavy rains.

Busay was identified as one of 20 city barangays that are critical in the 2009 geohazard maps because they are susceptible to soil erosion and landslides.

The rains brought about by a low-pressure area in Mindanao also loosened the soil.

The minor cave-ins along the road in Busay also disrupt vehicle traffic.

Sanchez said some of these slopes have concrete ripraps to hold back the soil but building them would cost a lot for the barangay.

“Riprap is more expensive. The operation of quarry sites may be more affordable,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said he planned to meet with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7), the Cebu city government and lot owners to discuss his quarry site proposal.

DENR 7 spokesman Eddie Llamedo said the idea would have to be carefully studied by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau and the Cebu City mining regulatory board.

Llamedo cited the danger of quarries.

“Quarries can often affect the landslide occurrence. It can trigger landslides and would not be allowed in nearby communities,” he said.

Llamedo said quarrying wouldn’t be allowed on vertical slopes or places where there are vertical cracks in the soil.

The proposal would need an operational plan.

MGB geohazard mapping in 2009 identified nearly 80 barangays in Cebu province as highly susceptible to landslides and flooding.

In Cebu City, these 20 barangays include mountain areas of Busay, Sirao Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba Sinsin, Buhisan and Adlaon.

For Cebu province, the sites prone to landslides were six barangays in Naga City, 11 barangays in Balamban town, five barangays in Asturias and all mountain barangays in Talisay City, two barangays in Dumanjug town and two barangays in Ronda town.

For flooding, the high-risk areas are five barangays in Cebu City, including Kasambagan, Mabolo and Bongon.

There are seven in Mandaue City, including Subangdaku, Mantuyong and Guizo.