MANILA -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has found over 100 sinkholes in the southwestern part of quake-hit Bohol.
In an interview with ANC's "Headstart" on Thursday, MGB Director Leo Jasareno said they expect to find more sinkholes once they finish their mapping by the end of the year.
Jasareno said, however, this does not necessarily mean the province is no longer safe to live in.
"The collapse of a sinkhole will depend on many factors. You may have a sinkhole but if the capping, yung ibabaw between the sinkhole at lupa, is thick or overlain by another rock na matibay, that's okay," he said.
"The problem is if the capping becomes thin enough so that rupture will happen," he added.
High school sits on top of sinkhole
Meanwhile, Jasareno also expressed concerns over a sinkhole in Pangangan island, which is directly underneath a school.
"In Panganan island where we found a tunnel underground about 100 meters, fortunately the sinkhole is in middle of school grounds," he said.
"What is dangerous there is that there are tension cracks...which means that while the sinkhole has collapsed, rupture is still in progress. Lalaki pa siya," he explained.
Jasareno said the school may have to be relocated soon.
"That is dangerous. So we will be coordinating with the school so they will be informed and be advised properly on what to do. I think we can say that relocation is necessary," he said. -- ANC