Cebu City: The Cebu City government is in the process of finalizing the purchase of a lot near the village of Buhisan to relocate the local elementary school, which has been affected by critical structural damage at its current location, including dangerous ground cracks.

According to Philippines News Agency, John Jigo Dacua, head of the Office of the City Superintendent of Schools, stated on Friday that they conducted an inspection of the potential property two weeks ago. However, they have not yet made a final offer to the property owners due to scheduling conflicts. The prospective site is currently occupied by residents, which presents a challenge to the local government. They may need to consider another suitable location for the school's relocation.

Dacua assured the public that he would prioritize the procurement process to facilitate the swift acquisition of the property. The necessity to relocate Buhisan Elementary and Night High School became urgent following a geohazard assessment conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Central Visayas, Department of Engineering and Public Works, and Office of the Building Official on March 18. The assessment revealed severe structural issues, including cracks in buildings, hollowed-out riprap structures, and soil erosion caused by inadequate drainage.

The report also highlighted the risk of landslides during extreme weather events, which led to the school being placed under a state of emergency. The school's current location is on rugged terrain, 60 meters above sea level on a sloped mountainside along the Kinalumsan River, making it particularly susceptible to erosion.

In earlier statements, Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia announced that the city would purchase the 4,000 square-meter property near the Buhisan Barangay Hall for P20 million, as evaluated by the city's appraisal committee.