More than 30 sinkholes found in quake-hit San Remigio, Cebu

More than 30 sinkholes have emerged in San Remigio, Cebu, following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that rocked the province on Tuesday.

According to a "24 Oras Weekend" report by Ian Cruz on Saturday, San Remigio Mayor Mariano Martinez said 32 sinkholes have been found in their municipality and that the number could still rise.

“We cover them, or just declare the areas unsafe. But the problem is there are already buildings,” Martinez said.

In Sitio Sansan in Barangay Maño, one large hole was filled with water, while two smaller ones can be seen nearby. A sinkhole was also spotted by the sea.

A large sinkhole also emerged beside a residential area. The family fortunately managed to escape amid the earthquake.

Sinkholes also appeared in Daanbantayan, Cebu. 

A team from the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) is already conducting mapping of the Bogo Bay Fault, which caused the strong earthquake that killed at least 70 people and injured more than 500. 

GMA Integrated News is still trying to reach out to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau regarding possible steps to be taken following the emergence of sinkholes.

Aside from sinkholes, residents also worry about the deep cracks on the roads. 

Wilma Asingua could not help but cry after she found out that their house was just above the fault line. Her family could not yet manage to retrieve their belongings.

“Ang sabi nila, ‘Huwag niyo nang pasukin,’ delikado raw kasi nakahalo raw ‘yung ilalim sa bahay namin,” Asingua said.

(They said, ‘Do not enter’ it is dangerous that the fissure is just under our house.)

“Nanghihinayang ako kasi pinaghirapan ko ‘yung bahay ko kaya ganu’n na lang. Wala akong magawa, mabuti ligtas kaming lahat,” an emotional Julius Asingua said.

(I feel bad because I worked hard to build this house, only for it to be damaged like that. I could not do anything, it’s a good thing we’re all safe.)

Josephine Cataga, whose house was damaged by the earthquake, added, “Hindi ko kaya sir. Sa ngayon sir wala na kaming matirahan, wala na kaming balay."

(I could not take it. As of now we’re homeless; our house was destroyed.)

DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and Philippine Red Cross Chairman Richard Gordon visited San Remigio, where more than 20 people died.

The Red Cross will set up a “tent city” with assistance from the Department of Public Works and Highways.

“We will be preparing for 2,500 families. Kung kakapusin dadagdagan pa natin. Each tent will have sleeping kits, may banig dalawa, may kumot, may moskitero. May hygiene kit na iyon, dalawang tuwalya. Mayroon silang anim na sipilyo for a family, may sabon,” Gordon said.

(We will be preparing for 2,500 families. If there is a shortage, we will add more. Each tent will have sleeping kits, two mats, a blanket, and a mosquito net. It will have a hygiene kit and two towels. They will have six toothbrushes for a family and soaps.)

“There are many tourism workers who have been gravely affected by the loss of livelihood. So first, we have included them in one of the priority sectors that will be given family food packs through the DSWD. And then eventually we are endorsing them as well as those that will be situated in the tent city for alternative livelihood training by the Department of Tourism,” said Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco.

The damaged roads will be repaired immediately, according to the DPWH. 

“Gawa na ‘yun ngayon so cleared na ‘yung highways natin. Ang next step starting Monday, uunahin natin ‘yung mga tulay, mag-rehabilitate na tayo. So papaspasan natin, sabi ni Presidente. Kaya nga tuloy-tuloy na yan. So advance work na ito,” Dizon said. 

(Our highways are now cleared. The next step starting Monday, we will start with the roads, and we will rehabilitate them. We will speed it up, according to the President. It is set to proceed. This is advance work.) —Jamil Santos/VBL, GMA Integrated News