THE 6.5 hectare relocation site in barangay Paknaan, Mandaue City is susceptible to liquefaction and flooding, results of a geo-hazard assessment report of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) showed yesterday.
The agency also recommended converting two blocks located between an active and dry river bed into a green zone. Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Cortes said his administration will follow the MGB recommendations.
The MGB study conducted by Senior Science Research Specialist Abraham Lucero Jr. and Maria Elena Lupo last April 26 was required by the National Housing Authority.
They said some portions of the relocation site have less than 1 meter elevation above sea level while a topographic map of the project showed that the elevation ranges from 1 to 3 meters above sea level.
The relocation site is located in between Butuanon River and Cansaga Bay which makes the area vulnerable to flooding.
Local residents and Mandaue City officials also confirmed this observation.
“During extreme weather conditions, there is a possibility that low-lying areas in the proposed project site near Butuanon River and Cansaga Bay will be inundated by waters overflowing from the nearby bodies of water,” the report read.
The study also recommended that flood control measures and adequate drainage systems be installed in the area to minimize or avoid flooding.
The three meter easement zone in the southern boundary of the relocation site adjacent to the Butuanon River should be extended from 15 up to 20 meters to serve as an adequate buffer zone during flooding.
The extended zone recommended by the MGB can be used as green area or bicycle trail, the two MGB specialists said.
MGB asked the Mandaue City government to consult the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) on the liquefaction and tsunami potential of the relocation site.
Francisco Amit, former consultant of Mandaue City’s Urban Planning and Socialized Housing program, said 200 houses won’t be built if blocks 41 and 42 will be turned into a green zone.
“The area is the best option for relocation site but there’s a need to follow what was observed by the technical working group (to ensure) the welfare and safety of the beneficiaries,” Amit said. Reporter Jucell Marie P. Cuyos