Retaining structure eyed for sinking area in Sadanga brgy

The municipal government of Sadanga, Mountain Province is planning to construct a retaining structure to reinforce the communities living above the sinking area in Barangay Sacasacan.
Mayor Adolf Ganggangan said the municipality has contacted a private firm to conduct soil testing in the area and they will have to wait for the recommendation of the team that will conduct geo-tactical analysis.
There were recommendations from other agencies for the municipality to relocate the affected communities above the sinking area, which include a school.
“Compared with the estimate for the construction of the earth retaining structure, relocating the whole community might be 10 times the cost. As long as the retaining structure to be built is strong and can hold the sinking area, then we will go for it,” Ganggangan, who is also an engineer, said.  
Earlier, various line agencies conducted a post-disaster needs assessment at the area where 18 constituents were evacuated. Also, structures such as churches, barangay halls, and schools are affected in the danger zone.
Ganggangan said most of the families temporarily live with their relatives while the municipality looks for a permanent relocation area.
He said one family chose to rebuild their home in nearby Paracelis, but he assured the affected family will still receive assistance from the municipal government. 
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the sinking area is a “deep-seated” landslide, which is progressive, unlike the usual landslides in the Cordillera where it happens at one time at a particular area.
The municipality has provided the basic needs of the affected individuals and families. The next step is to aid them in rebuilding their new homes.
Mountain Province Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr. said the province is assisting Sadanga and other affected residents at the sinking site in Poblacion, Bauko to look for a permanent relocation site.
In Bauko town, relocation sites were earlier presented but it did not pass the assessment of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau.
The province is coordinating with line agencies concerned for the follow-up assessments on the identified sinking areas and other possible danger zones in the province. – Ofelia C. Empian