At least four people, including barangay officials, were injured after a community effort to move a house the traditional way ended in an accident in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur on Saturday, March 21, 2026.

Residents were working together to relocate an old wooden house in Barangay Matalang around 10 a.m. However, after just a few steps, the house tilted and collapsed eventually. 

A video showed several residents being assisted. Most of them sustained minor bruises, but four of them sustained serious injuries, including the barangay chairman, barangay councilman, barangay tanod, and another barangay employee.

The four were brought to a hospital for treatment.

A barangay official said the homeowner reportedly sought assistance from the barangay to relocate their house just a few meters from its current location, as the land where it used to stand will be used by the owner.

“Ang akung nahibal -an gamitun na ang yuta  nga gitukuran sa maong balay mao tung gipabalhin. Duol ra gyud ang balhinan unta,” Councilwoman Genelyn Placido Montealto said.

It turned out that part of the house have become brittle, something that the those who helped carry it were reportedly now aware of. 

“Tapos sa wala namo damha ang panghitabo. Gabuk diay ang balay. Tapos mao to wala gyud siya natabang, nahugno tapos nabali pa gyud ang buntun bitaw, nisamot siya kabali,” Montealto added.

Authorities are investigating the incident.