MT. BALIMPUYO STILL DEADLY

The Olongapo City government inspected a pilgrimage site popular among local folks where a rock fall occurred last year, killing two residents. Olongapo Mayor James Gordon Jr.

led the Task Force Balimpuyo at the recently conducted the inspection of Mt. Balimpuyo in Tabacuhan, Barangay Sta. Rita after months of rock-chipping and installation of line of defense against falling rock debris.

After the tragic incident in August last year, local authorities evacuated the families residing along the slopes of Mt. Balimpuyo.

To remove the threat of another rock fall, the city government of Olongapo chose the slow but safe rock-chipping operation instead of blasting that may cause further death and destruction to the community along the slopes.

The RMB Geomines Enterprises installed three lines of defense made from steel bars and wires for temporary resistance to falling rocks due to soil erosion.

The Task Force Balimpuyo composes of City Disaster Risk reduction and Management Office, Sta. Rita Rescue Team, Bureau of Fire Protection, PNP, City Engineering at City Planning and Development Office and City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Marife Castillo.

Mt. Balimpuyo remains unsafe. The site under its cliff is covered with gravel from the rock-chipping operation of the RMB Geomines Enterprises in the supervision of Engr. Romulo Banluta.

According to the City Planning and Development Office, the site and the RMB Geomines Enterprises’ operation is under continuous evaluation, whereas, the local government is requesting the expertise of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau region III.

Trekking at the site remains restricted due to its present condition while the local government is still uncertain if the holy site will be available for the pilgrimage in the coming “Semana Santa”.