Mindanao quake altered rivers, ruined P2.3-B infra

ARTIFICIAL LAKE Landslides triggered by extreme ground shaking from the magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Sarangani province on June 8 blocked waterways and altered river courses, leadingto the formation of artificial lakes, like this one in a community in Glan town. —PHOTO FROM SARANGANI PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — Over two weeks after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Mindanao, authorities in Sarangani and Davao Occidental provinces are dealing with several rivers whose natural course was altered by landslides and shifts in land surface, forming artificial dams or lakes.

Aside from changing river courses, the strong quake on June 8 also triggered coastal uplifts in parts of the two provinces, resulting in the recession of shorelines, some reportedly by 200 meters, that exposed corals and seagrasses.

In Sarangani, Gov. Rogelio Pacquiao directed disaster response personnel to ensure the safety of communities following the formation of artificial dams in remote barangays of Glan and Malapatan towns following the quake.

Pacquiao also created a technical working group, including personnel from the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and military and police forces, to validate and assess river blockages and landslide-induced damming that may pose risks to downstream communities.

Citing an initial briefing by the Army’s 1002nd Infantry Brigade, the Sarangani Information Office reported that 18 potential damming sites were identified based on field reports and preliminary assessments conducted in Glan and Malapatan.

On June 19, the Glan Incident Management Team reported eight additional sites in Barangay Mudan. These are on top of the 12 sites in Barangay E. Alegado and one each in Barangays Calpidong, Ilaya and Sufatubo that were earlier mapped out.

In Malapatan, two damming sites were reported.

Pacquiao said these sites were being closely monitored due to the possibility of water impoundment, sudden breaching and flooding that could threaten nearby residential and farming communities.

In Davao Occidental, the municipal government of Jose Abad Santos had sought the help of the Department of Public Works and Highways as the river in Barangay San Isidro had become a lake that engulfed farms and settlements, even swallowing several houses.

As of Wednesday, government agencies had estimated damaged infrastructure worth at least P2.3 billion in Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, General Santos) region, mostly in General Santos City and Glan—the areas worst-hit by the earthquake.

The latest figure was more than double than the almost P1-billion initial damage estimate released by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) a week after the powerful quake struck off the coast of Maasim, Sarangani.

Recovery plan

Rodrigo Sosmeña, OCD regional director and RDRRMC chair, said the council convened a planning workshop on Tuesday to develop an early recovery plan from the devastation.

“The plan will serve as the framework for guiding rehabilitation and recovery interventions in the hardest-hit communities as they transition from emergency response to early recovery,” he said.

In a report, the RDRRMC said 10,045 houses were destroyed and 60,898 damaged by the June 8 quake in the region that also killed at least 56 people, injured 1,259 others and left 18 residents still missing.

The total death toll from the quake reached at least 77, including from the nearby Davao region, data from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council showed on Tuesday.

Two weeks after the devastating quake, the economic situation, school activities and delivery of government services in General Santos City have yet to fully recover.

Mayor Lorelei Pacquiao expressed confidence that the city could get back from the devastation wrought by the powerful earthquake as early as possible, stressing that the tragedy would not dampen the resolve of its people.

“Instead, it strengthens our unity, concern and determination to bounce back,” she said in a statement.

Rombel Catolico, city information officer, said General Santos is “slowly getting back to normal,” citing their transition from search and rescue operations to recovery and rehabilitation. /cb