By CESAR JOLITO III

Authorities have raised concerns over the expanding ground fissures along the national highway at Barangay Mambaroto in Negros Occidental’s Sipalay City as cracks on the slope widened, and new ones appeared, prompting tighter safety controls and ongoing geotechnical monitoring.

According to the Sipalay City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, led by coordinator Dionilo Bogtae, the latest inspection in Camp Valdez yesterday morning revealed additional cracks forming near the roadside canal.

The affected area now covers about 4,967 square meters, based on the latest assessment.

A georesistivity and ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey was conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) last weekend to determine the extent of soil movement and the presence of possible underground voids.

Results are expected soon.

In a report to Mayor Gina Lizares, the MGB noted on October 18 that the main fissure initially measured 10 inches wide but had expanded to about one meter by October 26.

Continuous soil slippage has been observed, confirming an active slump-type landslide, where soil from the upper slope gradually collapses downward.

MGB in the Negros Island Region Director Benigno Cesar Espejo said their team recorded further widening of the cracks during the past weekend, likely exacerbated by heavy rainfall.

“We conducted GPR testing to determine the possible void beneath the surface. The recent rains last Friday and Saturday may have accelerated the ground movement,” Espejo said.

To prevent accidents, authorities have restricted traffic flow in the affected area, disallowing large or heavily loaded vehicles from passing simultaneously along the section.

The site has also been cordoned off as a precaution./CJ, WDJ