The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) is calling for an investigation into the excessive extraction of groundwater in Batac, Ilocos Norte, which may have caused a ground rupture in Barangay Palongpong Proper and Sitio Calubuan.
Socrates Gaerlan, supervising geologist of MGB-Region 1, told the BusinessMirror in a telephone interview that the crack in ground surface is a sign that Batac’s groundwater source may already be depleted.
Gaerlan led a team of geologists from the MGB-Region 1 that looked into the ground rupture last week. Several residents reported the crack, fearing that it may have been caused by an earthquake.
He said the long dry spell and excessive extraction of groundwater caused the ground movement. He noted that several farmers have been extracting groundwater to irrigate their farms.
“We need to know whether the groundwater supply can sustain the irrigation needs of farmers. This will also give us an idea whether replenishment of groundwater during rainy season is sufficient enough for irrigating farms,” Gaerlan said in the vernacular.
An inspection conducted by a team from the MGB revealed that there are over 100 shallow deep wells in Barangay Palongpong Proper alone.
“If extraction of groundwater continues, it can trigger ground subsidence that may endanger the lives of the people,” Gaerlan said.
He said that while the ground rupture shows no sign of mass movement or ground displacement, there is a need to look into the geologic condition of the area using ground penetrating radar.
The equipment will determine the extent of ground rupture or crack underneath, he said.
For the meantime, he recommended the immediate evacuation of several families living near the ground ruptures.
The MGB’s help was sought by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology to assess the cause and effect of the ground rupture on July 28.