Cracks on Sipalay slope raise sinkhole concerns

By Glazyl M. Jopson

Authorities are closely monitoring cracks that have appeared on a mountain slope in Camp Valdez, Barangay Mambaroto, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental, following a recent landslide.

Experts warn the fissures could potentially lead to a sinkhole collapse.

According to the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), an initial investigation by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau–Negros Island Region (MGB-NIR) on October 18 found that the cracks were caused by ground subsidence in an area composed mainly of coarse limestone.

While no households have been directly affected, authorities cautioned motorists passing through the site, which is adjacent to a national road.

Executive Assistant Dionilo Bogtae, head of the Public Safety and Sipalay Emergency Assistance and Rescue Services (SEARS), reported that the main crack measures approximately 3 meters deep, 3 feet wide, and 80 centimeters long.

The damage was discovered by Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) personnel during maintenance and clearing operations on October 15.

Upon verification, officials immediately placed warning signs and initiated continuous monitoring, noting the area’s high susceptibility to landslides.

Bogtae added that markings and monitoring devices have been installed to track further erosion or ground movement in the coming days.

The public has been advised to avoid the area, which officials have deemed unstable and at risk of landslides.

In a phone interview, MGB-NIR Director Benigno Cesar Espejo said light vehicles may still pass through the site for now.

He explained that the ground movement may have been triggered by seismic activity or heavy rainfall, as the dissolution of limestone is a natural process that can result in subsidence.

To ensure public safety, the national road at KM167+400 leading to Camp Valdez will be temporarily closed to all vehicles on Sunday, October 26, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., as the MGB conducts a Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) scan and Geo-Resistivity Test.

Authorities appealed for the public’s understanding and cooperation, stressing that the tests are essential to determine the area’s stability.

Officials continue to investigate the exact cause of the cracks.

Sipalay City, located near the Negros Trench, frequently experiences seismic activity and was struck by a magnitude 5.1 earthquake on October 7.

Local authorities have urged residents to remain cautious following the recent magnitude 6.9 tremor in northern Cebu and the series of aftershocks that followed.