Regional Director Loreto Alburo of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources has declared the landslide areas in Guihulngan City and La Libertad as danger zones, following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake that hit Negros Oriental.

Gov. Roel Degamo was informed by Alburo Friday, that the two landslide areas are highly dangerous since the soil is very unstable.

The areas are in Sitio Bloke 2, Brgy. Solonggon in La Libertad, Sitio Moog, Brgy. Planas Guihulngan, where the landslides occurred, and Sitio Ilaya Brgy. Tinayunan Beach, Sitio Pitogo of Barangay Zamora in Guihulngan City , which are strictly identified as danger zones.

People living near the area are advised not to venture within their vicinities, as the soil is still unstable due to continuous aftershocks and heavy rains.

Degamo vowed to strictly follow the recommendation of Alburo to prevent lost of lives and properties. He said he cannot face another disaster, if people resist, the order of experts declaring the area as highly dangerous.

He appealed to the mayors and local officials to strictly implement the law and exercise political will in order to save lives.

Undersecretary Benito Ramos of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council had earlier emphasized that the local government officials should impose their political will, especially if an evacuation from danger zone is recommended.*MA