By CESAR JOLITO III

Geologists from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) are set to conduct a critical follow-up inspection on March 10 and 11 in a suspected sinkhole area affecting two sitios at Barangay General Luna in Negros Occidental’s Toboso town.

The inspection will focus on Sitio Bairan and Bugho, where concerns about possible ground instability have prompted continued monitoring by local authorities.

The team is expected to deploy specialized equipment to thoroughly assess the condition of the ground and determine the cause of the suspected sinkhole formation.

Toboso Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office head Hospicio Carbajosa, Jr. said the inspection aims to provide a clearer understanding of the situation and guide appropriate safety measures for residents in the area.

Although current monitoring has not recorded any recent land subsidence, residents have reported that noticeable ground movements tend to occur during periods of heavy rainfall.

This observation has led local disaster officials to consider rain as a possible trigger for the ground instability.

Carbajosa noted that the detailed assessment by the MGB will be crucial in identifying the root cause of the phenomenon and in determining necessary recommendations to ensure community safety.

As a precaution, authorities have maintained barricades around the affected area while awaiting the results of the upcoming inspection./CJ, WDJ