• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The ground cracks in Sitio Bairan, Barangay General Luna in Toboso, Negros Occidental have expanded to now 11 feet deep and a diameter of 60 meters, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Hospicio Carbajosa Jr. said on Thursday, Feb. 18.
A team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) on Wednesday inspected the ground cracks and conducted drone and topographic surveys, mapping, and terrain checks for software analysis.
Carbajosa said the site is known to be limestone-based.
During the site inspection, he said the MGB team did not find any exposed bedrock.
The MGB team is scheduled to conduct another study of the affected site in the second week of March, bringing with them more equipment to examine underground conditions, determine the extent of the cracks, and identify the underlying causes of the ground movement.
The affected area has already been cordoned by local authorities.
While some residents and students traditionally use the area, safety reminders have been distributed, and alternative routes to the national highway are available through Sitios Kabibang and Burgos, Carbajosa said.
Carbajosa called for vigilance as he noted the continuing deceleration in ground movement, following overnight rains on Wednesday, which can exacerbate ground instability.
Mayor Richard Jaojoco said the presence of the cracks have disrupted the daily lives of residents especially students who have to go through a longer route to reach school. | GB
