Ground ruptures, water sources dry up in Masbate town after earthquake

Several water sources in Cataingan, Masbate, dried up while a two-hectare land in the mountain ruptured after a 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit the town, Masbate 2nd District Representative Elisa Kho said.

“Several water sources in Cataingan and nearby areas completely disappeared,” Kho told reporters on the sidelines of the recent visit to Cataingan by Ako Bicol Representatives Elizaldy Co and Alfredo Garbin Jr to assess the extent of the damage.

Last August 18, the earthquake hit Cataingan and triggered a ground subsidence in Matayum village, leading to houses disappearing into the sea.

The two-hectare mountain towering over the Cataingan seaport collapsed, engulfing 15- to 20-feet high coconut trees plantation to the ground.

A sea sinkhole also destroyed vital structures in the port, forcing ferry operations to stop.

Houses, the public market, schools, and government buildings were destroyed, while the Saint Joseph Parish was closed to the public after the church facade separated from the main structure. The church is in danger of further collapsing due to the ongoing aftershocks.        

Co told reporters there is a crucial need to rebuild Catangian.

“We need to help rebuild the Cataingan town, especially that we have a pandemic. The main source of living in this town is fishing and farming. Unfortunately some coconut plantations were destroyed and their seaport that contributed to economic development of this town as a gateway to Cebu,” Co said.

The Office of Civil Defense estimates the August 18 earthquake had left some P309 million worth of damage in its wake. – Rappler.com