Wednesday, March 19, 2008 Ma-a homeowners insist Shrine Hills land unstable By Grace L. Plata
THE Barangay Ma-a Federation of Homeowners Association's environmental committee debunked the Engineering Geological and Geohazard Assessment Report for Palm Grove West Housing Subdivision in Barangay Maa and Matina.
The report says the land on which the subdivision stands is stable.
"Landscapes of old landslides are present in two sites. Many coconut trees are tilting down slope. Engineer Allan Botuyan's study found sections of land in the site as not stable," wrote Wilfredo Mosqueda, a member of the association's environment committee, in a letter to the City Planning and Development Office dated March 11.
Mosqueda introduced himself as a holder of a master's degree in Natural Resources from California's Humboldt State University.
Mosqueda also contradicted the report that said the "sliding along the structures will never take place."
"Landslides will take place. The sheer strength that is operating on the underlying rocks and ground materials has been degraded as implied by the old landslides. Areas in the vicinities of similar geological history and development experienced landslides," Mosqueda said in his letter.
Mosqueda said Ma-a Homeowners hope that CPDO will consider these comments in the processing and approval of the subdivision project.
The homeowners have been very vocal in their opposition to the proposed subdivisions along Shrine Hills, which sits above them, because of the threat of landslides.
Councilor Pilar Braga has already manifested support for their complaints during the City Council's March 11 regular session.
The matter has been referred to the committee on housing, rural and urban development for appropriate action.
