Residents of a private subdivision in Barangay Lagtang, Talisay City were ordered to temporarily evacuate after authorities detected signs of possible ground instability that could pose risks to homes in the area.
The precautionary evacuation followed the discovery of ground cracks in portions of the development, particularly in the lower section where several houses are situated.
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office confirmed structural concerns after conducting a site inspection and advised local officials to take immediate safety measures while further technical evaluation is ongoing.
Acting on the recommendation, the city government directed households within a 50-meter radius of the identified fissures to vacate their homes until the situation can be fully assessed.
Authorities explained that the subdivision sits on sloping terrain, with visible cracks forming near the lower hillside, raising concerns about possible soil movement beneath the surface.
According to PENRO head Rodel Bontuyan, the inspection formed part of post-disaster assessments conducted after the onslaught of Bagyong Tino in November last year.
“After bagyong Tino nag conduct mig mga assessments sa mga gipang issuehan og permit and ang sapa gipang assess nato,” Bontuyan said.
Initial findings prompted PENRO to recommend a more detailed investigation and to consider evacuation as a preventive measure while the level of risk remains uncertain.
City officials have since held coordination meetings with residents, the developer, and technical personnel to explain the situation and outline next steps, while the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office carried out its own on-site evaluation.
Despite the visible cracks, Bontuyan emphasized that surface observations alone cannot determine the full extent of the issue, noting that subsurface conditions are still unknown.
Because of this, PENRO is pushing for a geotechnical engineering study to determine soil strength, slope stability, and the possible spread of underground fractures.
“Wapa ni nahuman nga istorya tungod kay kinsa may mo rehabilitate? Kay it really needs rehabilitation,” he said.
To support the assessment, PENRO has requested the approved site development plan from the project developer and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development so technical teams can verify whether construction complied with approved design and safety standards.
The office noted that while some documents have been submitted by the city government, the information remains incomplete, delaying a final technical evaluation.
Meanwhile, concerns raised by residents about nearby quarry operations are also under review, although PENRO said there is no confirmed link at this time.
Quarry activities in the vicinity have been temporarily suspended pending results of separate geological studies, a move Bontuyan said was intended to ease public concern.
“Para lang peaceful ang hunahuna sa tanan,” he noted as monitoring and technical investigations continue. (SBA)
