BONTOC, Mountain Province – Twelve individuals evacuated their homes last June 5 due to the threat of soil erosion.
At dawn of said date, Danny Chamlangen was brought to the Bontoc General Hospital after he got injured when their home was hit by a landslide at Sitio Chepes, Barangay Bontoc Ili.
Based on the report of the Bontoc Emergency Operations Center, the landslide occurred at around 3 a.m.
Those directly affected were Chamlangen, Calsiman Ofo-ob, and Lorenzo Felwa’s residence with one resident identified as Jerry Agnapan.
The landslide damaged their comfort room, kitchen and living room.
Residents in the neighboring houses decided to evacuate for safety. However, the family residing at Felwa’s residence did not evacuate despite the house being affected by the erosion.
The evacuees who stayed at Saint Vincent Elementary School returned to their homes at around 6 a.m. June 6.
Initial interview from the affected residents revealed that at 1 a.m. of June 5, they heard a rumbling sound from the mountaintop but nobody paid attention to it. At 3 a.m., a loud rumbling sound was heard.
Chamlangen, owner of the affected house, shouted to alarm his neighbors. It was found out that an old pine tree was naturally uprooted and hit the water pipe which released a volume of water causing soil erosion.
As of press time, clearing operations is on-going with the help of the 1403rd Community Defense Center, 14 CAR Regional community Group Philippine Army Reserve Command, ROTC and Criminology students of the Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, Bontoc Municipal Police Station, Bontoc Municipal Fire Station, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, Philippine Red Cross- Mountain Province Chapter, barangay officials, and community volunteers.
Vice Mayor Eusebio Kabluyen provided an additional chainsaw and manpower from Barangay Talubin.
Social Welfare Officer II Shawnee Bob Anongos said food relief and family kits were also provided by the LGU and the provincial government to the evacuees. Financial assistance will also be given to the victims once documents are processed. – Alpine K. Malwagay and Christy Mae F. Che-es
