12 hours ago
2
CEBU CITY — Large cracks in the buildings and unstable ground have forced the city government to declare a state of emergency at a public school in the mountainous barangay of Buhisan.
Officials now face a race against time to secure Buhisan Elementary and Night High School, with options narrowing between structural retrofitting and full relocation.
The Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMC) issued the emergency declaration on Tuesday, aiming to fast-track interventions.
However, the City Council must still approve the resolution before disaster funds can be released.
A recent geohazard assessment by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Central Visayas (MGB-7) confirmed that the school sits in a landslide-prone area.
Get the latest news
delivered to your inbox
Sign up for The Manila Times newsletters
By signing up with an email address, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
The report linked the ground cracks to the site's geological makeup and modifications to the slope and warned of active instability.
Inspectors from the Office of the Building Official (OBO) and the Department of Engineering and Public Works (DEPW) identified cracks in the walls, floors, beams, and slabs.
They also noted soil erosion beneath riprap structures and found that a three-story building's concrete stairs had shifted one to two centimeters away from the wall.
MGB-7 recommended structural retrofitting, additional engineering studies, and safety measures such as installing drainage systems, restricting access to hazardous areas, and placing warning signs.
The agency also advised against further development in the area.
Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia directed a shift to blended and modular learning for Buhisan pupils due to safety concerns and worsening weather conditions.
He said local officials and the Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu City had finalized the decision, with the school principal given authority to suspend face-to-face classes when necessary.
City officials view structural retrofitting as the quickest intervention, though discussions on relocating the school remain ongoing.
They identified a 4,000 to 5,000-square-meter privately owned lot behind the barangay hall as a potential new site, but negotiations for land acquisition have yet to progress.
Garcia acknowledged the challenges of moving the school, especially given the barangay's mountainous terrain and limited suitable land.
He noted that the current buildings might still serve future purposes after reinforcements.
Councilor Joel Garganera, chairman of the City Council's Committee on Disaster Risk Reduction Management, Safety, and Climate Change Adaptation, will present the emergency resolution for approval.
If passed, the declaration will unlock local disaster funds to address the school's structural risks.
Buhisan Elementary School sits at an elevation of 60 meters above sea level, near the Kinalumsan River valley.
MGB 7's latest hazard map classifies the site as highly susceptible to landslides, reinforcing the urgency of the city's response.
