LGUs get risk assessment maps

MANILA, Philippines - Risk assessment maps were turned over yesterday to local governments in the Greater Metro Manila Area to help them craft effective disaster response policies.

A total of 24 local government units each received an average of 87 maps from member agencies of the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and the Australian government.

The Greater Metro Manila Area is composed of areas in Metro Manila as well as Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal.

The turnover ceremony was held two days after an earthquake in the Visayas left more than 150 persons dead and several centuries-old churches destroyed.

The maps illustrate areas that are vulnerable to disasters like earthquakes, severe wind, landslides and floods. They also take into account key details like the population and existing infrastructure to allow authorities to evaluate the potential risks to life and property. 

 â€œNatural hazards… do not have to lead to disasters especially if we are able to carefully assess the risk of an area and properly plan for the long-term. But we can only do that if we have the data,” Australian Ambassador Bill Tweddell said.

The maps and the accompanying data are results of the “Risk Analysis Project,” a three-year collaboration of the Australian government aid program with Geoscience Australia and the Philippine Office of Civil Defense, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, National Mapping and Resource Information Authority, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration.