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377 brgys in CV due for detailed geohazard mapping

Countries
Philippines
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Govt. Philippines
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By Hazel F. Gloria

CEBU CITY, March 15 (PIA) -- About 377 barangays covering 17 cities and municipalities in Central Visayas are up for a detailed geohazard assessment and mapping in a zoom-in scale of 1:10,000 this year.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-7) regional director Loreto Alburao said, this is an ongoing priority program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) with a budget of P2.65 million that is in line with President Aquino’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP).

It aims to identify areas which are susceptible or vulnerable to various geologic hazards, or geohazards, Alburo added.

“The 377 barangays are prioritized based on the results of the 1:50,000-scale that indicates a number of barangays which are either critical or very high vulnerability to geological hazards such as flooding and landslides,” he explained.

The program also seeks to provide information to various stakeholders in order to lessen or mitigate the impact of these events given the adverse and extreme weather patterns or conditions.

In Cebu, 221 barangays are due for mapping to include Lapulapu City with 30 barangays, 42 and 27 for Danao and Mandaue cities, respectively.

The list also identifies Compostela with 17 barangays; Liloan, 14; Consolacion, 21; Cordova, 13; Barili, 42; and Carcar City with 15 barangays.

In Siquijor, 41 barangays will be assessed covering Larena with 23 barangays and 18 in Lazi.

For Bohol are 52 barangays that include 24 in Loay and 28 in Loboc.

Included in the roster of priority barangays are 63 in Negros Oriental that include eight in Amlan; Bacong, 22; and Zamboaguita and Dauin, with10 and 23 respectively.

The 1:10,000-scale maps will show more details of the area which may include the specific physical characteristics or environment of each sitio or “purok” in a barangay.

Among the important information that can be revealed in a 1:10,000-scale geohazard map include parameters or features in the area that may affect ground stability and the type of landslides or flooding that can possibly occur in the area.

Alburo said a team of geologists will again issue suitable warnings and geohazards advisories to the Office of the Mayor and barangay captain and must be stamped received by them.

He added the geohazard maps will provide the local government units opportunity to initiate mitigating measures and interventions in disaster risk reduction and management.(mbcn/HFG/PIA-7 & DENR-7)