A sinkhole measuring 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep in Sta. Fe town, Bantayan Island is being secured by local offiicals. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO/PAUL ESGANA)
A new sinkhole in Sta. Fe town in Bantayan island has forced families in sitio Dapdap, barangay Langub to relocate.
The hole first appeared Friday night but the size, initially two to three feet wide, grew wider after residents reported it yesterday.
Mayor Jose Esgana said barangay officials piled rocks at the mouth of the sinkhole to keep residents out but the rocks fell in, indicating the hole had grown bigger.
The sinkhole was about 40 feet wide and 4 feet deep as of yesterday.
Nearby residents were advised to evacuate to the local sports center. Sitio Dapdap has about 200 households.
Al Emil Berador, chief geologist of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, is scheduled to visit Kinatarkan Island next week to conduct a site assessment.
MGB Regional Director Loreto Alburo told the mayor the phenomenon was likely a sinkhole because the area in sitio Dapdap is made of limestone and has a cave.
Barangay Langub is located in Kinatarkan Island, one of the islets located off mainland Sta. Fe town.
Until experts check the area, Alburo recommended that a fence or barrier be set up around the sinkhole with signs warning residents of the hazard.
Mayor Esgana said the area is already secured with barangay tanods , police and barangay emergency responders watching for any movements.
Mercury lights were also set up.
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