The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 has declared the slopes within the five-kilometer ongoing widening road project as “critical” zone that extends from Barangay Camp 4 hall up to Barangay Camp 6, Talisay City, Cebu.

A team of senior geologists, composed of Maria Elena S. Lupo and Josephine T. Aleta, who conducted a field investigation today (September 11) found out the slope which is 60 degrees to almost vertical, is highly fractured with noted seepages.

Lupo said the area is highly susceptible to landslides and rockfall due to the highly fractured plus jointed and highly weathered characteristics of the rocks of the area which is further aggravated by an ongoing slope cutting by a road expansion project.

MGB 7 recommended the immediate evacuation of houses alongside the road network; conduct regular clearing and monitoring of landslides-affected slopes; observe proper easement from weak slopes; and develop an early warning system.

‘Unless and until the appropriate slope protection measures are implemented such as riprap or retaining walls which will render the slope stable, all families should go to safer grounds,” Lupo added.

She added continuous rains would make slopes weaken and saturate thus landslides or rockfall may occur anytime.

The geohazards threat advisories indicating the significant findings and recommendations were received by Barangays Camp 4 and Manipis last March 6, 2012.

It may be recalled that based on the results of the 1:10,000-scale geohazards assessment conducted early this year, 77 percent of the 22 barangays in Talisay City are high risks to either landslides or flooding.

Three sitios each for Barangays Manipis and Camp 4 are highly susceptible to landslides.

These are sitios Cambang, Proper Camp 4, Bogo, in Barangay Camp 4; and Camp 5, Camp 7, and Proper Manipis in Barangay Manipis.

Meanwhile, MGB 7 regional director Loreto Alburo issued anew a geohazards threat advisory last September 6 to Talisay City Mayor Socrates Fernandez on the completed geohazards mapping in a 1:10,000-scale to all barangays in Talisay City, Cebu on the account of the February 28 to March 6, 2012 assessment.

“They (local government units) were also advised to initiate readiness measures for a potential disaster,” Alburo said in a letter.

“Your office is encouraged to instruct your Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council to plan for such contingencies and MGB 7 recommends strict and continuous implementation of the recommendations by the barangays,” he said.