Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong mentioned the possibility of declaring the Guisad-Surong landslide area as a ‘no building zone’ after necessary assessments.

“There's a big possibility na ide-declare na namin na ‘no build zone’ yung lugar,” he said

[“There’s a big possibility that we will declare the area a ‘no build zone.”]

According to the Mayor, authorities detected cracks and soil stress above the affected area.

As a precaution, the residents were directed to evacuate, while the officials were instructed to inspect the building permits of the established properties in the area.

“Nakita na namin na stress yung soil doon sa taas. May mga cracks na kaming nakita doon. Kaya pinalikas na natin yung mga bahay doon,” the Mayor said

[“We saw that the soil above is stressed, and we already spotted cracks there. That’s why we directed the residents to evacuate.”]

Magalong noted that while many parts of Baguio are identified as hazard zones, it does not automatically mean all residents must be relocated. He explained that there are engineering solutions that may help to address the concern.

The Mayor also mentioned that it is also necessary to do the proper planning, structural design, and secure a building permit prior to construction.

Following the landslide, authorities continue to monitor soil conditions, particularly in sections where cracks and soil stress were detected.

With reports from Grace Doctolero