Soil unstable, residents warned

TALISAY City officials warned residents of a mountain barangay from bathing or collecting water from a nearby area where a trisikad driver was killed by a landslide last Thursday.

This as Talisay City social workers assured the family of victim Ruben Tabura Sr. of financial assistance.

Talisay City Engineer Audie Bacasmas told Sun.Star Cebu that a team from his office was sent to Sitio Riverside in Barangay Jaclupan to check the area where Tabura was killed.

Based on his team’s assessment, Bacasmas said the landslide that killed Tabura was caused by constant extraction of sand and gravel by residents.

Also, the base of the cliff where the landslide occurred had been eroded by constant flooding caused by rains, he added.

Vigilance

Because of their findings, Bacasmas advised residents to stop extracting sand and gravel from the area and to stop bathing there.

He also advised residents in the area to be extra vigilant, as they cannot predict when a landslide might happen.

Talisay City Police Chief Supt. Eddie Recamara also issued the same warning to the residents during his visit in the area yesterday.

Recamara told reporters that based on what he has seen, he agrees that residents shouldn’t use the area for bathing to prevent another landslide.

Burial assistance

Apart from dealing with his death, Tabura’s surviving family still lacks money to for his burial.

Michelle Arat, Tabura’s daughter-in-law, told reporters they are soliciting money from neighbors. They collected P150 as of yesterday.

The Talisay City Government, however, has offered to shoulder the burial expenses of the victim.

Felipa Solana, Talisay City Social Welfare Officer, told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday that aside from endorsing the free burial expenses from the City, she has also endorsed Tabura’s case to the Office of Civil Defense so the family can get calamity aid.

Solana also endorsed Tabura’s case to the regional and provincial offices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development so the agencies can provide financial assistance to his family.