Vice Mayor Labella points to the area in Sitio Lower Tac-an, Barangay Budlaan where soil erosion occurs (CDN PHOTO/LITO TECSON).
CEBU City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella requested the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CCDRRMO) officer-in-charge Nagiel Bañacia to conduct a “more intensive assessment” in Sitio Lower Tac-an, Barangay Budlaan.
This is due to the risky situation of the residents living at the edge of a cliff where there is a river below.
To recall, eight houses in the area were affected due to soil erosion caused by continuous rains.
One of the house owners, Joel Espina, earlier said they have been requesting the National Housing Authority (NHA) to look into their situation but to no avail.
Bañacia meanwhile said they received a report about the soil erosion in the area last month and referred the matter to Cebu City Hall’s Engineering Office.
“Duna nay recommendation atong city engineer to build a rip-rap wall that will be included during the road construction project,” Bañacia said.
Bañacia added that the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) has already a budget for the road construction in the area and they are just preparing for the project’s execution.
Labella decided to request for a “more intensive assessment” after he visited and inspected the area last Wednesday based on the letter request from Barangay Budlaan Captain Nerissa Antolihao.
Labella was informed by Antolihao, through a letter, that the flowing water of the river also contributed to the continuous soil erosion.
The vice mayor said prompt measures should be undertaken to mitigate the impact of soil erosion. He also requested the city disaster risk office to provide “necessary plans to minimize the hazard posed by the erosion on the riverbanks.”
Labella said this will reduce the vulnerability of the residents.
Bañacia said there was no need for the residents to evacuate as long as engineering measures are put in place to prevent danger from happening.
There are 62 structures in the area occupied by residents from Barangay Carreta who were affected by relocation order three years ago.