Residents fear more sinkholes in Cebu amid aftershocks

Some Cebu residents are fearful of the possibility that more sinkholes might develop in the province after the powerful magnitude 6.9 earthquake that rocked Bogo City last Sept. 30.

According to Alan Domingo’s report on “24 Oras” on Tuesday, at least 70 sinkholes have been observed in Northern Cebu after the devastating earthquake.

Most were spotted in San Remigio town with 40 sinkholes, while Bogo City has 16 recorded sinkholes.

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said more sinkholes may develop because of the aftershocks.

Latest data from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology showed that more than 12,000 aftershocks have occurred since Sept. 30. This includes the magnitude 4.0 aftershock logged earlier on Tuesday morning.

The MGB also warned that the current sinkholes may go even deeper due to the aftershocks. The agency has yet to release the number of barangays and residents affected by the sinkholes.

However, it is recommended that residents evacuate their houses if they are located near a sinkhole.

A video showed part of a house collapsing due to a sinkhole in Sitio Sansan, Barangay Mano in San Remigio.

“Ang number one recommendation namin pag may sinkhole is to cordon off the area, refrain from going near kasi posibleng mag-collapse ang sinkhole,” said Josephine Aleta, officer-in-charge of MGB Geosciences Division.

(Our number one recommendation is to cordon off the area of the sinkhole and refrain from going near it because it might collapse further.)

The Cebu government is waiting for the MGB’s final report that could be used as a guide in implementing the Land Use Reclassification or Rezoning in the affected areas and the Bogo Bay Fault.

“We take advice and guidance from the national agency for their safety. Hindi tayo uusad pag hindi natin uunahin ang safety. So safety first. Kung yan ang recommendation, we will abide by it,” Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro said.

(We take advice and guidance from the national agency for their safety. We cannot move forward if we do not prioritize safety. So safety first. If that’s the recommendation, we will abide by it.)

Residents also expressed fears over fishkills due to the aftershocks and sinkholes discovered in the sea. This was after several fish were seen dead in Barangay Santo Rosario in Bogo City.

An expert noted that an intense earthquake could cause a fish kill. — Mariel Celine Serquiña/JMA, GMA Integrated News

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