THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB)-Davao Region said portion of the Diversion Road with destabilize steep slopes is already considered as critical area considering its history of soil movement which poses a hazard to the public.
Beverly Mae Berbante, officer-in-charge and chief geologist of MGB-Davao, said once a certain area has experienced landslide, it is categorized as critical. Construction of houses and structures is highly discouraged because of potential safety threat.
“Supposedly, pag critical area dili na gyud siya angay patukuran especially mga balay pero ang nagahatag man gud og building permits is the city so the MGB is the recommending agency lang unsay angay buhaton (Supposedly, if it is already critical, structures should not be constructed in that area especially houses. But it is the local government who gives building permits while MGB is only the recommending agency suggesting what should be done). But for policies and implementation, we partner with the LGU,” she said.
However, there are instances when massive developments will be approved by the city in a landslide-prone area since developers have implemented engineering measures to mitigate the movement.
“Pero definitely, kanang gagmay-gagmay nga balay, dili na gyud na angay ibutang dira [But definitely, small houses should not be built there],” she added.
Her team and the Davao City Disaster Risk Reduction Management (CDRRMC) went to the area to check the recent instabilities.
Earlier, CDRRMC issued a landslide warning to the motorists and commuters passing along Diversion Road about the possible landslide that may occur in the area now that rainy season has begun and such incident will likely to occur similar to what happened last June 9.
“Aside from Diversion, atoa gyud Paquibato District, atong Marilog District kay mao man na ang bukid-bukid mao na ang areas that are identified to be highly susceptible. Any area within Davao nga naay bukid, considered nato na siya nga prone to landslides gyud na siya (Aside from Diversion Road, we are also looking at Paquibato and Marilog districts to be landslide prone),” she added.
Berbante said that any land development anywhere in the region will pass through their agency and they will issue a geo-hazard development certificate. The certificate will only tell the susceptibility of an area in terms of landslide and flood. The certificate will be forwarded by the proponent to the city for whatever action. (JCR)