MGB list of Cebu City’s geohazard areas out

CEBU, Philippines - A Rapid Field Assessment conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) identified the landslide and flood prone barangays in Cebu City.

The study showed that of the 80 barangays, 19 have "high" susceptibility to landslides, 13 "moderately" rated while eight were listed to be "low" and 40 are listed with "none to low" susceptibility.

As defined by MGB, high rating is characterized by presence of active and/or recent landslides, presence of numerous and large tension cracks that would directly affect the community, areas with drainage systems that are prone to landslides and steep slopes.

These are bgys. Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Taptap, Tagbao, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan and Sapang Daku, Adlaon.

Moderate is characterized by areas with indicative and/or old landslides, presence of small tension cracks and are located away from the community, and moderate slopes.

Barangays under this category are bgys. Mabini, Paril, Cambinocot, Bacayan, Pulang Bato, Agsungot, Babag, San Jose, Toong, Kalunasan, Guadalupe, Tisa and Bulacao.

Low rating is attributed to low to gently sloping with no presence of tension cracks. Under this are bgys. Talamban, Pit-os, Bonbon, Apas, Lahug, Capitol Site, Labangon and Basak Pardo.

Moreover, 40 barangays considered to have none to low susceptibility include Punta Princesa, Mambaling, Basak-San Nicolas, Cogon Pardo, Inayawan, Poblacion Pardo, Kinasang-an, Quiot, Mabolo, Hipodromo, Carreta, Tejero, Tinago, San Roque, Sto. Niño, Parian, Kamagayan, Day-as, T. Padilla, Luz, Duljo Fatima, Sawang Calero, Kasambagan, Banilad, Kamputhaw, Lorega San Miguel, Calamba, Sambag I, Pasil, Suba, Pahina San Nicolas, Ermita, San Nicolas Proper, Pahina Central, Sambag II, Kalubihan, Cogon Ramos, Sta. Cruz, San Antonio and Zapatera.

As far as probability of experiencing flooding is concerned, five barangays were listed with high susceptibility, 21 moderate, and 30 low.

Highly susceptible to flooding include Bonbon, Labangon, Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Mabolo.

Moderately susceptible to flooding include Agsungot, Bacayan, Basak Pardo,  Buot, Pahina San Nicolas, Busay, Pasil, Calamba, Cogon Pardo, Duljo Fatima, Hipodromo, Kamputhaw, Lahug, Pasil, Sambag 1, Sambag 2, San Jose, Sawang Calero, Sto. Nino, Apas, Lorega San Miguel.

Having low susceptibility to flooding include Banilad, Basak San Nicolas, Binaliw, Bulacao, Capitol Site, Carreta, Cogon Pardo, Day-as, Ermita, Guadalupe, Inayawan, Paril, Pit-os, Poblacion Pardo, Pulambato, Punta Princesa, Quiot, San Antonio, Sapangdaku, Sta. Cruz, Suba, T. Padilla, Tinago, Kalubihan, Kalunasan, Kamagayan, Mambaling, Pahina Central, Parian, and Zapatera.

The 1:50,000 ratio study was initially done during the period August 15-17 and 21-23, 2007 and then resumed the following year by MGB senior geologists Josephine Aleta and Maria Elena Lupo together with senior science research specialist Abraham "Jun" Lucero, Jr.

A more recent study was conducted in September 2012, this time being more detailed with 1:10,000 ratio done by the same team of state geologists.

Lucero stressed that while they have done physically inspecting the 80 barangays, only over one half of the individual and detailed assessment per barangay were completed.

"We have about less than 20 barangays of data left to analyze. Once done, we can have a summary of results and recommendation just like the one we conducted in 2008," the MGB senior science research specialist said.

City Councilor Dave Tumulak of Reduce Disaster Zones or ReDZ project earlier stressed that the results of the study are vital in guiding government officials in prioritizing drainage and infrastructure projects. – (FREEMAN)