Talisay Subdivision Under Investigation for Geohazard Risks Following Ground Cracks
The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (Penro) has initiated a formal inquiry into a subdivision located in Talisay City, Cebu, after ground cracks were discovered in the area. This action follows a post-typhoon Tino assessment conducted in November 2025, which targeted quarry permittees and revealed potential safety concerns.
Evacuation Orders and Technical Assessments
During the assessment, Penro's technical team identified a subdivision in Barangay Lagtang for further evaluation upon observing significant ground cracks. A quarry site is situated approximately 300 meters away from the development, raising initial questions about possible connections. In response, Penro head Rodel Bontuyan recommended that the local government unit conduct a more thorough assessment and evacuate residents within a 50-meter radius of the cracks, as some houses are positioned directly above them.
Based on Penro's recommendations, the Talisay City Government promptly issued an evacuation order to ensure resident safety. However, Bontuyan emphasized that while the City Government has submitted some documents, the approved site development plan is still required to compare the original design with the current conditions on the ground.
Request for Development Plans and Ongoing Uncertainty
Penro has formally requested a copy of the approved site development plan from both the developer and the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD). This document is crucial for reviewing the property's metes and bounds, as well as the approved grading profile for the subdivision. Bontuyan noted that the Talisay City Government's Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office has also conducted its own assessment, but the issue remains unresolved.
"It is still unclear who will undertake the rehabilitation, as the area really needs rehabilitation," Bontuyan stated. He further explained that a geotechnical engineering assessment is necessary to understand the configuration of the cracks underneath, which are not visible from the surface.
Suspension of Quarry Permits and Speculation
In a precautionary move, Penro has temporarily suspended the processing of permits for the adjacent quarry operator until the geohazard concerns are fully addressed. "For everyone's peace of mind, we placed the processing of the quarry's permits on hold in case there is any possibility that the concern is valid, just to keep the situation calm," Bontuyan clarified.
Amid public speculation linking the ground cracks to the nearby quarry, Bontuyan emphasized that no official findings have established any connection. "We cannot immediately draw a conclusion, nor can we say outright that it is not involved. We are not going to speculate," he said. The quarry operator has hired geologists to conduct a geological review, but Penro has yet to receive the official results, leaving the investigation ongoing.
