2 proposed relocation sites in Naga yet to be cleared as safe

Relocation. A portion of the  24.7-hectare Balili property in the City of Naga is one of the two areas eyed as possible relocation site for the families affected by the landslide. (SunStar Foto / Allan Cuizon)
Relocation. A portion of the 24.7-hectare Balili property in the City of Naga is one of the two areas eyed as possible relocation site for the families affected by the landslide. (SunStar Foto / Allan Cuizon)

A WEEK has passed since a deadly landslide hit the City of Naga and survivors have no place yet where they can build their new homes.

As officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) lifted the suspension on 90 percent of quarrying activities in the country, except for those in Naga, the agency has yet to decide whether the two relocation sites identified by the City of Naga Government and Cebu Provincial Government for the residents in Barangay Tina-an are safe.

As of last night, geologists from DENR Manila had yet to conclude their meeting with City of Naga Mayor Kristine Vanessa Chiong on the delineation of danger zones in the city and the safety of the proposed relocation sites.

The proposed relocation sites are located in Sitio Tapon, Barangay Tina-an, and the controversial Balili property, also in the same village.

Five barangays in Naga were affected by the landslide. These are Tina-an, Inoburan, Mainit, Naalad and Cabungahan.

As of 7 p.m. last night, geologists had not finished their meeting with Chiong yet.

“We need them to decide as the NHA (National Housing Authority) cannot proceed with the construction of permanent housing units without the DENR’s certification,” Chiong said during a media briefing at 6 p.m.

NHA General Manager Marcelino Escalada said they plan to construct 360 permanent housing units if the DENR certifies that the areas are safe.

As of yesterday, there were 7,155 individuals who are in different evacuation sites.

A day prior to yesterday’s meeting, the DENR lifted the suspension on 90 percent of quarrying activities in the country, but operations in the City of Naga are still banned.

The suspension on quarrying operations was imposed in eight regions in the country immediately after a massive landslide hit Sitio Sindulan on Sept. 20.

The remaining 10 percent of suspended quarrying operations include the site in Naga, Cebu.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said quarrying activity in the City of Naga needs further assessment.

“The quarry in that area was there before the community was built. The site was isolated before, but the workers moved there and built a community; that’s why Naga became vulnerable,” he said.

Chiong said she has no problem if the ban remains in Naga since their search and retrieval operation at the landslide site is still ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Apo Land and Quarry Corp. (ALQC) will conduct hazard-clearing operations in their quarry sites that are located in the landslide-affected sitios of Tagaytay and Sindulan.

Chito Maniago, ALQC corporate communications head and spokesperson, said they already submitted a hazard-clearing plan to the DENR last week.

It details how they will remove the remaining debris and rubble to ensure that their operation will not pose a danger in case there’s heavy rain.

Maniago refused to comment, though, whether ALQC will continue developing their quarry areas that were destroyed by the landslide.

Maniago said since their quarry operations remain suspended, they cannot pursue any development. JKV, Ruth Abbey Gita, SunStar Philippines

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