To personally see the condition of the affected families temporarily relocated due to 3 strong earthquakes that hit the Province of Cotabato last October, Governor Nancy A. Catamco spent most of her time going to different evacuation centers and barangays declared as highly at risk.
Last Thursday, the Governor went to Barangays of Luayon and Sto Niño Makilala, Cotabato and brought with her the Geologist and Structural Earthquake Engineer from Manila Engr. Carlito Villaraza and two another geologist from Davao Oriental Mr. UB Lyndo M. Dujali and Ms. Junielyn Jane S. Pareja to personally assess the affected areas and explain to the barangay officials and constituents the real situation of their areas especially those who want to return to their respective homes.
According to Geologist and Structural Earthquake Engineer Villaraza that earthquake is a natural phenomena and a proof that earth is still alive. “Ang lindol ay normal na phenomena lamang at hindi dapat kinatatakutan ito ay patunay na buhay ang ating mundo” Villaraza said.
He added that the reason why many of the houses, structures and buildings collapsed and were damaged in severely affected areas was due to poor construction and substandard materials. “We can build our houses 5 meters away from the fault line but we should follow the national building code” he quoted.
The visitation and ocular inspection of the schools and areas affected also gave leeway to the provincial government to clarify things regarding the first declaration of no build zone to some areas that cause fears and panic to the residents.
Barangay Luayon Kagawad Analyn Aguanan, thaked the Provincial Government for coming to their barangay explaining the real scenario “Gapasalamat gid kami Maam nga nag adto mo diri sa amoa para ma-explain ang tinuod nga sitwasyon kay ang mga tao nahadlok na gyud magbalik sa ilang mga panimalay.”
“There are some areas identified in Barangay Luayon and some other barangays in Makilala as highly at risk or landslide prone but not the entire barangay, so the rest of the residents except those situated in landslide prone areas can go back to their respective homes” Gov. Catamco explained.
Mr. Alipio Barbadillo Sr. a resident of barangay Sto. Niño Makilala also thanked the initiative of the provincial government for bringing earthquake experts to conduct a re-assessment and consultation meeting and dialogue to the evacuation centers. “Maayo na lang gyud ug nag-adto mo diri maam ug nagdala mo eksperto gyud nga nag explain kay napaklaro pud sa amoa nga pwede na mi mamalik sa among mga balay ug natagaan pud mi ug ideya unsa ang angay buhaton.”
Governor Catamco also reiterated that the provincial government in partnership with the local government units and national government agencies will give assistance in form of rebuilding kits and carpentry materials (woods, nails, GI sheets, and plywood) to those affected families who will go back to their respective homes.
Last Saturday, December 7, 2019 the Governor also conducted ocular inspection and consultation meeting dialogue in Sitios Sayaban and Nabunturan of Barangay Ilomavis, Kidapawan City. //ras//
