Fearing another rockslide after a powerful earthquake struck nearby Cebu, the local government of Villaba in Leyte province is preparing to move nearly 200 families from Tagbubunga village to a safer location following a recommendation from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).
The MGB found the area highly prone to rockslides after an October 3 incident that sent residents fleeing when a strong aftershock from the magnitude 6.9 quake in Bogo City, about 40 kilometers away, loosened boulders along the slopes.
Mayor Vincent Veloso said on Thursday, October 9, that the residents’ proximity to unstable terrain has put them at constant risk, especially during heavy rains and aftershocks. He added that the local government is looking for at least two hectares of land for relocation and plans to seek assistance from Leyte 3rd District Rep. Anna Veloso-Tuazon to fund housing construction. The relocation site, he said, should remain within the village to allow residents to continue farming.
Some residents have opposed the plan, citing their long-time residence, home investments, and the site’s distance from their livelihood. Veloso said the local government will consult the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the provincial government for guidance before finalizing the move.
Currently, displaced families are staying in tents, classrooms, or with relatives. One resident, Marichu Ondinato, said her family no longer intends to return home out of fear of another collapse.
The rockslide also disrupted classes for over 200 students of Tagbubunga Elementary School, where 10 classrooms were declared unsafe. Teachers have shifted to modular learning, though Grade 2 teacher Maria Corazon Demeterio said the arrangement has slowed students’ progress and that face-to-face lessons remain more effective.
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, contributes to Negros Daily Bulletin, and maintains a personal blog on Medium.