Rains, quake caused sinkhole

THE 6.9-magnitude earthquake and the spate of heavy rains that hit Cebu in the past few days created the sinkhole found in a farm in barangay Cambuang, Dumanjug town.

Senior specialist Abraham Lucero Jr. of the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau in Central Visayas (MGB-7) said they are considering the possibility of the presence of a cave and underground water system under the sinkhole.

But he admitted they cannot confirm it without special equipment.

In a press statement, MGB-7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said the area is made up mostly of limestone mixed with marine fossils.

Llamedo said the subterranean river system explains why water was seen coming out from the sinkhole last Sunday.

Because of this, Llamedo said Dumanjog Mayor Nelson Garcia’s suggestion to use the area as landfill site isn’t feasible.

Lucero said the people are strongly advised not go near the sinkhole because of the cracks that may cause more soil to cave in.

He said local officials are advised to fence the sinkhole to keep out more onlookers and assign teams to monitor the site and report soil movements to their office. Correspondent Jhunnex Napallacan