BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL G. BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Eighteen families in Moises Padilla, Negros Occidental were ordered to evacuate after ground cracks were discovered in the town’s Sitio Manaol, Barangay Quintin Remo.
Reynald Horegue, head of the Moises Padilla Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO), said they received a report from local residents on Aug. 10 that they found large cracks on the ground and soil erosion.
Horeque said they inspected the area and decided to evacuate the families living nearby.
Mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo joined the inspection team which suspected that the ground cracks and erosion were caused by incessant rains over the past few weeks.
Based on their assessment, the cracks could grow bigger and eventually cause a landslide.
The municipal government advised affected families to temporarily seek shelter with relatives away from the danger zone.
Those who could not find shelter with relatives were advised to stay in the evacuation center of the town.
Moises Padilla is situated in central part of Negros Island. The location of the town provides a good view of the Kanlaon volcano./PN
