TYPHOON Ompong's announced visit to the country, particularly in Northern Luzon, has left a sad and depressing trail of destruction and unwanted death particularly in the Cordillera region.
The disaster highlighted most is the landslide incident at Antamok, Itogon, Benguet that has left at least 14 people dead and scores missing as of this writing.
I have been having this conversation with myself for the last couple of days now and here's what I personally think about the tragedy:
Q: Where and what is Level 070?
A: This is where the main portal of the former Antamok Underground mine of Benguet Corporation (BC) is located. The portal was used as entry then of mine workers to enter the underground workings. The name 070 or level 070 has stuck as the area's name even after the undergound mining operations of BC have stopped.
Q: Did the Level 070 portal or underground collapse?
A: No, it did not collapse as other reports indicate.
Q: Did the underground areas of BC collapse causing the landslide?
A: No. BC's underground tunnels/workings did not collapse. Mining did not cause the landslide.
Q: What then was the cause of the landslide?
A: The area above the Antamok road that was the source of the landslide materials was previously mapped as an “active slide.” As such, erosion and movement of materials thereat were expected. The prolonged and continuous monsoon rains in August 2018 resulted to super saturation of the soil materials that triggered a flow of debris towards the Antamok road. Ompong aggravated the situation and the fluidized material unfortunately cascaded below the road towards the small scale mining site of the victims where, unfortunately, their shanties and dwellings were also located - thus, the tragedy.
Q: Did the small scale mining activity cause the landslide?
A: No, it did not. The activity may have contributed to some instability of the mining area but it was not the major trigger of the landslide.
Q: When was the “active slide” mapped?
A: As early as 2011, a landslide occurred in the same exact spot due to Typhoon Mina. The area was geologically assessed and mapped. The findings were contained in a report, with appropriate recommendations, and transmitted to the LGU.
Q: What are some lessons to be learned?
A: Listen to warnings and advisories. Pre-emptive evacuation may have prevented the deaths. There is a science to all of this and that being said, disaster risk reduction should always be a priority by everyone.
Preparedness is key. Once forewarned, take positive action. If the event does not happen, well and good - at least you were prepared for it. If it did happen, then necessary steps would have been taken to mitigate negative impacts. Don't kill the missing - some reports already refer to the missing as dead when in fact their bodies have not been found.
Be more responsible - because miracles do happen. We should look at forced evacuation as another option next time, especially with super typhoons that are announced. Follow the example of the places where Ompong landed or directly went - they bore the brunt of the strong winds and rains but there were no casualties.
Q: How do we move forward?
A: Let us remember that although some hazards like rains, typhoons, earthquakes are natural occurrences, the negative impacts of these natural phenomena are always magnified by unwise human action.
“It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.” ~ Howard Ruff
“For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” ~ African Proverb