Fault line, landslide threat impede relocation of Cotabato quake survivors

Lack of a relocation site safe from landslides and temblors is preventing authorities from transferring quake survivors in Makilala, North Cotabato, the provincial government said Thursday. 

The agricultural town, a top producer of rubber and banana, was among the areas worst hit by 3 earthquakes that destroyed thousands of structures in Mindanao and left at least 28 dead last October. 

• 'Blind faults'? Phivolcs explains series of strong quakes in Mindanao

The provincial government is considering the neighboring towns of Kidapawan, M'lang and Bansalan as relocation sites because around 70 percent of Makilala's land is either landslide-prone or straddling a fault system, said North Cotabato Governor Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza. 

Local businessmen on Wednesday also discussed donating or selling their land for evacuees, Mendoza said. 

Around P4 billion will be needed for Mindanao's quake rehabilitation and the National Housing Authority was directed to help find relocation sites, said disaster council chief Ricard Jalad. 

Meanwhile, military engineers are building temporary kitchens and toilets in evacuation centers, while aid flowed from national agencies and other countries like China, said the governor. 

Two Makilala residents remained missing. Authorities temporarily halted the search after the mines bureau warned of landslides, Jalad said. 

• 'State of panic': Quake-hit Makilala town appeals for tents, food, medicine kits 

• Mindanao schools ill equipped to shelter quake survivors: disaster agency

With a report from Raphael Bosano, ABS-CBN News 

DZMM, November 7, 2019 ​