City Council wants geo-hazard briefing

CEBU, Philippines - Since the rainy season has arrived, the Cebu City Council requested the  officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 to appear in a public hearing to apprise the significance of geo-hazard maps.

The DENR, through MGB, is tasked to distribute maps to all local government units.

Councilor Alvin Dizon, in a resolution approved by the City Council, said that the appearance of the agencies would help orient the council members and Cebuanos, the details, uses, and significance of geo-hazard maps as integral part of disaster preparedness and risk reduction and management efforts.

“It is of utmost importance that LGUs should be educated on how to read these geo-hazard maps and thoroughly understand their value and uses in their disaster risk reduction and management efforts,” he said.

Dizon said that strong typhoons and weather disturbances have been considered nowadays as “new normal” due to changing climate.

He said that in the light of many natural disasters, specifically typhoon, that beleaguered the country, it is imperative that the local communities have to amplify disaster preparedness measures because typhoons are now getting stronger.

“At the frontline of disaster preparedness are local government units  who must be equipped with valuable life-saving information regarding risks and hazards present in their communities to minimize, if not totally avoid casualties and damages when a natural hazard occurs,” the resolution reads.

The council also invited representatives from the Association of Barangay Councils, Barangay Councilor’s League of the Philippines-Cebu City Chapter, and the Cebu City Risk Reduction and Management Council to the public hearing on August 20. —/FPL) (FREEMAN)