MGB-7 seeks community cooperation in implementing sinkhole guidelines
By Amorganda A. Saludar
CEBU CITY August 30 (PIA) -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has sought community participation in preventing disasters caused by sinkholes.
Engr. Abraham Lucero Jr., MGB 7 senior science research specialist and geologist, said the agency has asked barangay officials in tracing the history of their area’s topography, particularly those considered to be prone to sinkholes.
The onset of the rainy period, the frequent occurrence of heavy rains can hasten the possibility of sinkholes specifically in areas with vulnerable stone and soil foundation or largely comprised of limestone, Lucero said.
“A main characteristic of limestone areas is that when in contact with heavy rains, this will result to the formation of a sinkhole,” explained Lucero. He said Cebu’s topography comprises 70 percent limestone.
MGB-7 has asked barangay officials and residents for
Lucero said barangay residents are more familiar with the origin and history of their localities.
The MGB 7 official also stressed that guidelines have to be implemented when a sinkhole is discovered such as alerting the residents on the risks of going near the sinkhole area.
“There must be a permanent signage in the sinkhole area for the people to be aware not to get near the area. Officials of the affected barangay should also assign barangay tanods nga mopahibalo sa mga tawo nga dili pa sudlan ang lugar (to inform the public not to enter near the sinkhole area), Lucero said.
He also said the guidelines on sinkholes should be observed. This include not building a structure in sinkhole areas. "It is a must that a drilling test and investigation are first conducted in a proposed construction site," Lucero declared. (FCR/AYS/PIA-7, Cebu)
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Cebu's Oplan Red Plate Task Force conducts surprise operation
By Juju Manubag-Empuerto
CEBU CITY, August 31 (PIA) -- In line with President Aquino’s ‘Tuwid na Daan’ Pogram, the Oplan Red Plate Task Force here led by the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) - Visayas conducted a surprise operation early this month in the cities of Cebu and Mandaue.
The 16-men task force team came from both the government and the media sector.
The OMB-Visayas, Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7), and ABS-CBN Channel 3 had four men each while Land Transportation Office (LTO-7) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-7 (LTFRB-7) had two personnel, bared Elmer Gutierrez of OMB Visayas.
According to Gutierez, the Oplan Red Plate Task Force was able to docket 18 government vehicles.
Guiterrez further disclosed that these are the government vehicles that cannot present a valid trip ticket and were sighted, spotted, apprehended and parked in various malls like Ayala Cebu, SM City Cebu and Parkmall as well as at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) last August 11, said Gutierrez.
The OMB official added that only the service vehicle of the Municipality of Liloan presented a valid document.
Belle Quijano, chief of the Corruption, Prevention and Education Group of the OMB-Visayas meanwhile, revealed that as of July, 2012, her office has received 1,162 related reports all over the Visayas region. Of this number, 740 cases have been terminated or closed, 21 were upgraded to criminal and/ or administrative cases while the remaining 401 cases are still pending investigation, according to Quijano.
OMB Visayas Acting Director for Public Assistance and Corruption Prosecution Office Atty Karla Juris Tanco congratulated the task force for a good hull of 18 government vehicles assessed.
Tanco stressed to the group to continue partnering with their office. (FCR/JSME/PIA-Cebu).