Local officials urged: Familiarize geohazard maps

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 7 urged local officials to acquaint themselves with geohazard maps and implement measures that would reduce the impact of natural disasters on people’s lives and properties.

EMB Regional Director Loreto Alburo made this appeal in the wake of reports that heavier rains are still expected until September despite the conclusion of La Niña last month.

Graciano Yumul, supervising science undersecretary of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), announced earlier that the residual effects of La Niña, including Ondoy-like rains, remain a possibility.

Alburo said that local officials should listen to PAGASA’s warning of heavy rains, familiarize themselves with geohazard maps and pay attention of areas that are found to be highly susceptible to flooding and landslides.

DENR Regional Executive Director Maximo Dichoso also strongly recommended that local chief executives prohibit habitation in areas declared as “highly susceptible” to flooding and landslides by the MGB to protect people’s lives.

Dichoso said MGB has already completed the geohazard assessment and mapping throughout the country and has distributed geohazard maps with a scale of 1:50,000 to all local government units. 

The areas in Cebu MGB identified as highly susceptible to landslides include Barangays Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Taptap, Tagbao, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay,Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan, Sapangdaku, and Adlaon in Cebu City; Barangays Tagjaguimit, Alpaco, Balirong, Mayana, Naalad, and Cogon in Naga City; and Barangays Hingatmonan, Lamesa, Luca, Ginatilan, Cabasiangan, Matun-og, Cansomoroy, Gaas, Magsaysay, Cabagdalan, and Duangan in Balamban.

Also in the list are Barangays Tungkay, Pangamihan, Bagacay, Loay, and Don Andres Soriano in Toledo City; Barangay Lamac in Pinamungahan; Barangays Agbanga, Baye, Bairan, Kanluangan and Sak-sak in Asturias; Barangays Amancion,  Anapog, Bactas, Bongyas, ambangkaya, Cabungaan, Can-ibuang, Duyan, Ginabucan, Panalipan, Tabili and Tinabyonan in Catmon; Barangays Doldol and Purok 3 in Dumanjug; Barangay Cansalonoy in Ronda; and all mountain barangays in Talisay City.

Alburo said that based on assessment, the five barangays in Cebu City considered to be most hazardous to flooding include Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo, and Bonbon while the seven barangays in Mandaue City that are also considered most hazardous include Subangdaku, Mantuyong, Umapad, Opao, Alang-alang, Guizo, and Pakna-an. (FREEMAN)