BACOLOD CITY – The cracks at the mountain slope at Camp Valdez, Barangay Mambaroto in Sipalay, Negros Occidental, are progressively widening, and more cracks have been discovered within the area, Sipalay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council Coordinator Dionilo Bogtae said yesterday, after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Negros Island Region finished their geo-hazard assessment recently.
Based on their report, the cracks found have widened significantly to 1 meter, while the vertical displacement also extends to another 1 meter. The MGB report added that several newly discovered cracks in the upper portion, as well as groundwater flow on the mountain slope was also reported, which increases the risks in the area.
Bogtae, after his visit to the site yesterday, revealed to the media that several cracks were also found along the national highway, particularly at the concrete canal situated beside the highway, which was filled with soil due to what the MGB described as a ‘slump-type landslide.’
“The cracks were still continuing their progress, and we also have discovered new ones on the concrete canals along the national highway,” Bogtae said.
With the discovery, the Sipalay DRRMO is now regulating the vehicles passing along the 4,967 square meter of affected area.
“As of the moment, the roads are still passable, but we are regulating the vehicles passing by. We put personnel on the road to mandate traffic,” he added, citing that it could be dangerous if too many vehicles pass by the area at the same time.
According to MGB, critical risks are possible during heavy rains and earthquakes, which can trigger water-saturated debris to fall downstream and can damage the integrity of the national highway.
As of the press time, the DRMMO has cordoned off the mountain-slope area as the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is set to assess the structural integrity of the road to implement mitigation measures. (Richard Caballero Jr. via tvds)