ARAYAT -- Thousands of residents at the foot of Mt. Arayat are set to be relocated after the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Central Luzon revealed the threat of a landslide in the area based on the agency’s latest geohazard assessment records.
In a phone interview, Mayor Emmanuel Alejandrino said at least 5,000 residents in Purok 6 and 7 of San Juan Baño will be relocated to ensure their safety from possible landslides that may occur in case of heavy rains or an earthquake.
Alejandrino relayed the report of the MGB-Central Luzon that the area is classified as “under a state of imminent danger” after huge rocks in the mountain were seen to have loosened and displaced and can fall down once the soil becomes unstable.
“In 2014, I have already asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to remove the rocks at Mt. Arayat but there was no action from their end. But we are still thankful that they were able to advise about Mt. Arayat’s current situation to give us leeway and time to prepare,” he said.
Alejandrino said the Provincial Government headed by Governor Lilia Pineda is already preparing the relocation site in a government-owned lot in Barangay Telapayong in this town for the affected residents.
He said Pineda already ordered the construction of at least 10,000 bunkhouses, which are expected to be finished this December. The said portion of Barangay San Juan Baño will immediately be cleared once affected residents have been relocated.
For the meantime, Alejandrino said affected residents will temporarily be sheltered at the local government’s evacuation center located at the back of the town hall during times of heavy rainfall or before the expected onslaught of a typhoon.
Alejandrino also noted that he already met with the affected residents, all of whom have aired full support and cooperation in the provincial and local government’s relocation program.