Sinkhole found in Badian, Cebu; another reported in Alcantara town

A sinkhole was discovered in Barangay Manduyong in Badian, Cebu shortly after Tropical Storm Seniang brought heavy rain to the Visayas, GMA Cebu reported Saturday.

 

The sinkhole was 20 meters in diameter and 15 meters deep. Fortunately, it was located in a forested area, far from human habitation.

 

Resident Peryong Miaga said they heard what sounded like an explosion early morning of  December 30, after which they found the hole.

 

"Matapos mai-report sa mga pulis ang sinkhole, kaagad namin itong pinalibutan ng police line upang maiwasan ang disgrasya," Miaga said.

 

Last November, a sinkhole also formed in Barangay Banhigan also in Badian, after Tropical Cyclone Queenie brought heavy rain to Cebu.

 

Alcantara sinkhole

 

The Philippines News Agency reported that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would investigate this sinkhole, and verify reports of a second sinkhole in Alcantara town.

 

Alcantara town planning and development coordinator Dominico Caburnay said that there was sinkhole in Barangay Cabadiangan that was about 30 feet deep. It extended to Barangay Bala in neighboring Moalboal town.

 

Llamedo could not confirm if the hole in Alcantara was a sinkhole as it still had to be examined by geologists.

“Sinkholes usually appear if there is ground shaking or an earthquake and when the ground is oversaturated due to heavy rain,” the DENR Region 7 spokesman Dr. Eddie Llamedo said in the report.

 

The Mines and Geosciences Bureau had recommended that local government units and police forces monitor for sinkholes and cordon them off.

 

Also, families living within a 20-meter radius of a sinkhole were advised to relocate. — Joel Locsin/DVM, GMA