15 of city's mountain brgys landslide-prone

CEBU, Philippines - Fifteen of the 26 mountain barangay of the city were found to be susceptible to landslides after a geohazard assessment by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7.

The geohazard mapping is done by MGB to identify geological features of different places and hazards associated with the features like floods, flashfloods and landslides which may be caused by the rain or earthquakes.

The assessment is also done to identify probable settlement sites, properties and infrastructures by producing geohazard maps and reports stating the said information on the vulnerability of areas to various types of geologic and natural hazards.

 Of the 26 mountain barangays assessed, barangays Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Taptap, Tagbao, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I and Sinsin showed high susceptibility to landslides.

Eight of the inspected barangays resulted to a rating of moderate susceptibility in landslides namely barangays Mabini, Paril, Cambinocot, Bacayan, Pulang Bato, Agsungot, Babag and San Jose. 

The other three barangays have low landslide susceptibility. These were barangays Talamban, Pit-os, and Bonbon.

Rapid field assessments were done on Cebu City mountain barangays that are situated on foot slopes, midslopes and mountain ridges.

MGB-7 regional director Roger de Dios explained that the study of the areas will be of big help to the public.

“The information on the results of the rapid geohazard assessment would be useful to authorities responsible for physical framework and land use planning, land use classification and allocation by LGUs, project development and disaster preparedness, management and mitigation,” he said.

The Geohazard Mapping and Assessment is one of the priority or flagship programs of President Gloria Arroyo and DENR Secretary Jose Atienza Jr. to protect and preserve lives and properties.

After the assessment, a Landslide Threat Advisory was given to inform the barangays of their susceptibility to landslides which contained the corresponding recommendations particular to each of the barangay.

Geohazard assessment was also done in other parts of the region like in Negros Oriental which covered 25 municipalities with 554 barangays. — AJ de la Torre/BRP (THE FREEMAN)