Mines Bureau Conducts Investigation on Sinkhole Collapse Incident in Calayan
MGB ROII Senior Geologist Jeremiah G. Caido said that the Bureau conducted an investigation in response to the request letter of the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Calayan and situational reports of the Calayan Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office.
The sinkhole collapse occurred in front of partially constructed residential house in Brgy. Magsidel on February 24, 2023.
According to Franklin Orel, owner of the residential house, his son was parking his sidecar in front of their house when a sinkhole collapsed behind him. The area was also experiencing heavy rainfall on that day when a sinkhole occurred at 4’oclock in the afternoon.
On March 2, the Office of the Civil Defense Region II and LGU Calayan reported the enlargement of the sinkhole with visible surficial manifestations of tension cracks.
At the time of the MGB investigation, the base of the sinkhole was partially filled with water and was observed to rise and recede in response to tidal changes.
The MGB ROII Senior Geologist said that the water level within the sinkhole rises during the high tide and recedes during low tide. This implies it could be connected to an underground stream/conduit leading to Babuyan Channel.
It was further observed that the sinkhole has already progressed towards the adjacent municipal road.
During the field investigation, the team conducted sinkhole inventory within the barangay, interview with residents and barangay officials, and mapping of limestone exposures.
Meanwhile, an exit conference was conducted and attended by Calayan Mayor Joseph Llopis, department heads, staff of LGU Calayan, and affected residents of the Brgy. Magsidel.
Initial findings and recommendations of the geohazard investigation were discussed during the meeting.
The team was composed of Senior Geologist Jeremiah G. Caido and Science Research Specialist Jose Santiago Feril.
