304 CV brgys up for geohazard assessment

CEBU, Philippines - Around 304 barangays in Central Visayas covering five cities and seven municipalities are up for a detailed geohazard assessment and mapping in a scale of 1:10,000 in 2013.

Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 regional director Loreto B. Alburo said this is part of the continuing effort of the government to ensure that lives and pieces of property are protected against the possibility of landslides and flooding given the adverse and extreme weather conditions.

 In Cebu, 126 barangays are due for mapping with Danao city and Barili with 42 each; and Mandaue and Carcar cities with 27 and 15, respectively.

 Also, 41 barangays will be assessed in Siquijor covering Larena with 23 barangays and 18 in Lazi, as well as in Bohol with 24 in Loay and 31 in Loboc.

Included in the list of priority barangays are 82 in Negros Oriental to include Amlan, 8; Bacong 22; and cities of Tanjay and Bayawan with 24 and 28, respectively.

 Alburo, in a statement, said that the 1:10,000-scale will show more details of the area covered by the map 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 added that the 304 are prioritized based on the results of the 1:50,000-scale which indicates a number of barangays which are either critical or very high vulnerability to geological hazards such as flooding and landslides.

 The 1:10,000-scale geohazard map is expected to be completed in 2014.

 Alburo said the assessment team will re-issue appropriate warnings and geohazard advisories to be received by the Office of the Mayor and a barangay official.

 He added assessment results will be provided to them so that they can begin initiating measures to reduce possible impacts or effects of these geological hazards.

Alburo further said that geohazard maps have become an important tool in disaster risk reduction and management.  (FREEMAN)