Talisay Subdivision Under Geohazard Investigation by Provincial Environment Office
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) has formally requested a copy of the approved site development plan for a subdivision in Talisay City. This move aims to determine whether the development adhered to all necessary requirements, following the emergence of serious geohazard concerns in the area.
Assessment Initiated After Typhoon Tino
According to Penro head Rodel Bontuyan in an interview on Monday, February 23, 2026, this action stems from an assessment conducted in November 2025 after Typhoon Tino. During a review of quarry permittees, the agency's technical team identified a section of the subdivision in Lagtang, Talisay that required further evaluation due to discovered ground cracks. The quarry site in question is located at a distance of less than 300 meters from the subdivision.
Bontuyan explained, "There is a recommendation to evacuate people within a 50-meter radius from the crack because there are houses on top." He revealed that the Talisay City Government has already implemented evacuation measures based on Penro's recommendation.
Ongoing Review and Rehabilitation Needs
Currently, Penro is seeking the approved site development plan to scrutinize if the developer followed the original design. "This is not yet a complete story because it is unclear who will handle the rehabilitation, as this area definitely needs rehabilitation," Bontuyan added.
Based on Bontuyan's description, the subdivision is situated at the hilltop, while the crack is in the lower area. "We do not know what the cracks look like underneath because we cannot see them. That is why this requires a geotechnical engineering assessment," he clarified.
Temporary Measures and Speculation Avoidance
While the issue remains unresolved, Penro has temporarily halted the processing of permits for the neighboring quarry operator. Amid public suspicions that the nearby quarry caused the crack, Bontuyan cautioned against speculation, noting that no official investigation results have yet connected the two.
He further stated that the quarry operator has engaged geologists to conduct a geological review, but Penro has not yet received the official results of this assessment.
