ANTIQUE TOWN UNSAFE FOR DWELLING DUE TO LANDSLIDES

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has declared Barangay Igmasandig in the town of Valderrama in Antique unsafe for dwelling as it is "very highly susceptible to landslide," according to a PNA report.

Geologists from the regional office of the MGB in Western Visayas have recommended not to allow evacuated residents to return to their homes, Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer (PDRRMO) Broderick Train said in an interview on Saturday.

“Senior Geologist Adeline Grace Torreda who came with another geologist found the place as (very) highly susceptible to landslide being in a sloppy area,” Train said.

The monsoon rains softened the area that resulted in soil depression and has caused cracks and damages to the barangay hall, plaza, and houses of residents.

“The 4.8 magnitude earthquake with Valderrama as epicenter last June 7 also caused earth movement worsening the situation,” he added.

Valderrama Mayor Mary Joyce Roquero, in a separate interview, said evacuated families will have to remain in the center located at the town proper.

As of Saturday, 27 families are staying in the evacuation center while 13 additional families are in the Valderrama Central School.

Roquero added that the rest of the residents composed of 91 families are now staying with their relatives in other barangays.

Barangay Igmasandig has been declared under state of calamity as per the resolution passed by its village officials in a session that was held Saturday, the mayor said. The declaration of the state of calamity is necessary so they could utilize their barangay fund for their emergency need, Roquero said.

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