Sinkhole or soil erosion? 41 families evacuated in GenSan

 

 

Fears of being swallowed by the earth have prompted the evacuation of 41 families from Barangay Dadiangas South in General Santos City.

 

The residents said a part of the land seemed to disintegrate, GMA General Santos' Jennifer Solis reported on GMA News TV's "Balita Pilipinas Ngayon" Monday.

 

"Natakot talaga kami kasi malapit lang sa bahay namin. Parang ipo-ipo sa dagat parang kumukulo... Nagkakape kami noon, nagtaka na lang kami at nag-panic na ang mga tao," said one resident.

 

On Monday morning, a team from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 12 went to the scene.

 

Geologists have yet to determine if the phenomenon is a sinkhole or soil erosion.

 

"Hindi pa namin ma-confirm. This is just an initial assessment ng aming bureau. Maybe by next week ang aming geologist mag-conduct ng further asessment using ground penetrating radar," said Roger Tamayo, a mining engineer of MGB Region 12.

 

In the meantime, Tamayo said they recommend that residents not yet return to the area and remain in the evacuation center. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News