Iloilo City – The DENR, Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office 6 (DENR, MGB 6) conducted an investigation of the alleged “sinkholes” in Brgy. Cabugao Sur, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo on October 16, 2017. Dr. Leilanie O. Suerte, Supervising Geologist of the DENR, MGB 6 conducted the investigation when concerned citizens and local officials of Brgy. Cabugao Sur reported that a hole on the ground affected three houses in their area.
Dr. Suerte said that the hole in the ground cannot be considered a sinkhole because technically, sinkholes are formed in areas underlain by limestone and Sta. Barbara soil is mostly made up of clay.
The hole found in Purok 7 is 6 meters by 5 meters in size and 3 meters depth, however, it might have increased in size since the time they assessed it, Dr. Suerte said.
The residents reported that previously, water from the surroundings naturally flows through the area that goes towards lower elevations. Dr. Suerte noted the factors that contributed to the formation of the hole. The hole that formed also indicated that there is a lot of groundwater in the said location. Groundwater flows in underground pathways or the void where water flows, Dr. Suerte said.
In addition, the drainage canal of the community drains in the exact location of the hole and the presence of the concrete walls that blocked the water from flowing. The incessant rains the past weeks brought about a large volume of water and all this water present in the area may have created a small hole that became bigger with the increase in the volume of the water flowing into it. (MGB6, DENR)