Mount Diwalwal problems

[GLT]

Mines bureau recommends relocation of residents from Mt Diwalwal
04/02/2008 | 03:15 AM

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The regional office of the Mines and
Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has recommended the relocation of residents
in four areas in Diwalwal to Monkayo, Compostela Valley after the
agency’s field personnel discovered cracks on the ground due to days
of incessant rains.

Edilberto L. Arreza, acting regional director of MGB-Region 11, said
the team found fissures on the ground measuring 15 meters wide and
extending across the basketball court of Purok 9 towards the bank of
the road.

"According to the residents, the ground crack was likely caused by
water seepage coming from leaking water hoses along the side of the
basketball court and water run off from incessant rain during the
previous weeks," he said.

Barangay officials requested the MGB to conduct an inspection due to a
ground displacement in Puroks 4, 5 and 9, and in the Balite mining
area.

Mr. Arreza said the ground materials are composed of compacted soil,
mud, rocks and debris that are "resting on the steep hill slope."

Should the slope give way, the investigating team in its report said,
the possible areas that might be affected are the immediate vicinity,
which includes Puroks 4 and 5.

Another ground crack found in Purok 9 was the area facing the Balite
bar-down area. The team pointed to the mining activity just about 50
meters below the road level as the possible cause of the crack.

"Above the said crack is a hill slope about 70 to 80 degrees with some
houses on top," Mr. Arreza said.

"The team noted that minor slides are observed along the steep slope,"
he noted.

Adding to the danger "are the small tunnels directly along the path of
a possible slide."

To prevent a disaster, Mr. Arreza advised local officials to relocate
houses and establishments directly affected by possible landslides,
install warning devices, put up hazard signboards and construct
alternative bridge at bar-down area to keep people away.

He said the team has talked with the residents to convince them to
relocate to safer grounds.

The MGB has identified Mt. Diwata, where Diwalwal is located, as a
landslide-prone area because of poor ground conditions and
"unsystematic" human intervention. In 1999, 14 miners were killed in a
landslide following a heavy downpour.

On July 9, 2007, five people, including a pregnant woman was killed in
a landslide in Mt. Diwata.

Franco Tito, Mt. Diwata village chairman, told rescuers that an
avalanche of loose soil and boulders buried four houses in Purok 2 in
Sitio Summit. — Joel B. Escovilla, BusinessWor