BAÑOC
All those responsible, directly or indirectly, of the quarry operations in Tinaan, Naga, Cebu, that triggered a landslide killing innocent people denied having committed any wrong doings. They washed their hands off like Pontious Pilate in modern times.
On the part of Apo Land and Quarry Corporation (ALQC), it says that it has not done yet in a quarry operation in the areas hit by the landslide. Its representative, Chito Maniago, said that it has quarry operations in the areas, except those affected by landslide.
ALQC repeatedly expressed such claim despite the fact that it will run counter to the pictures provided by Google Earth before the landslide and after.
On the part of Naga City, Mayor Kristine Chiong claimed that she is concerned of her constituents. In fact, she issued a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) dated August 29, 2018 when people complained of the visible cracks in the mountains.
At least the mayor issued a CDO, although it was lifted on the same day as its wordings say that it should be lifted as soon as Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) issues the necessary clearance. Note that on the same date, August 29, MGB issued the clearance, saying that the cracks in Sitios Tagaytay and Sindulan are not considered critical and do not pose eminent danger to the neighboring communities.
MGB, on the other hand, said that it has not fallen short on giving warnings to ALQC and Naga LGU on the danger zones. It even provided them with the geohazard maps.
However, the MGB’s incessant that the areas are hazardous can amaze because it issued permits to ALQC to quarry the area. Also, the findings of its geologist in 2008 are different on the findings of its geologist in 2018.
So who is at fault?
Comes now, the former Mayor of Naga City, Val Chiong who averred that as early as 2009 ALQC was about to demolish the houses of Sindulan on the ground that it owned the property. The people appealed to him, and in turn, he asked ALQC not to implement the demolition. He admitted that he was playing politics then.
Mayor Val emphasized that if the reason of demolition was specific threat advisory from MGB, he could have not asked ALQC to reconsider its decision. He said MGB’s advisory was more on generics and not
specific.
Granting without admitting the denials of the different stakeholders and with Mayor Chiong’s admission, it is feared that the ending of this story is to put the blame to the dead as they are the ones at fault. What a tragic incident? Where is justice?
So what happened to the findings of geologist Abraham Lucero in 2008 that Sitio Sindulan, Tinaan, Naga City is susceptible to landslide? Is his recommendation that the residents in Sindulan should be relocated not specific enough? Has such findings been kept at the MGB’s drawer? Has it not reached to the table of the ALQC and Naga City mayor?
Jesus Christ, have mercy on the dead.
Disclaimer: The comments uploaded on this site do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of management and owner of Cebudailynews. We reserve the right to exclude comments that we deem to be inconsistent with our editorial standards.
