MGB to finish geo-hazard mapping of barangays in Region 7 this year

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources will complete this year the geological hazard mapping of 606 barangays in Central Visayas that are yet to undergo geo-hazard assessment.

MGB-7 has so far completed the mapping of 2,167 barangays in municipalities and cities of Bohol, Negros Oriental and a portion of Cebu.

This year, MGB is set to conduct assessment of a total of 606 barangays, 472 barangays of which are from 21 cities and municipalities of Cebu and 134 barangays from six municipalities of Siquijor.

“We have already completed the rapid geohazard assessment to all the municipalities and cities of Negros Oriental and Bohol totaling 1,538 barangays and landslide threat advisories have been issued to these barangays. Out of 53 cities and municipalities of Cebu, 32 cities and municipalities or 60.38 percent were mapped covering 629 barangays,” reported MGB-7 director Loreto B. Alburo.

As of December 2009, 78.15 percent or 2,167 barangays of the project’s target of 2,773 barangays in the region has already been completed.

The geo-hazard mapping and assessment is one of the priority thrusts of MGB to advance the protection and preservation of lives and properties against natural disasters.

It seeks to identify various geologic features and hazards associated to these geologic features and in a way to determine possible settlement sites, properties and infrastructures to be affected.

Specifically, the mapping aims to identify susceptible areas to floods, landslides, liquefaction and other ground instabilities such as vulnerabilities to earthquakes of each barangay.

“The rapid field assessment will cover barangays whether these are located near the shoreline, on foot slopes, mid slopes or mountain ridges,” Alburo said. “Each barangay will be given a rating of low, moderate or high landslide susceptibility.” — Jessica Ann R. Pareja/WAB   (FREEMAN NEWS)