Geo-hazard assessment of Leyte, Biliran finished

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has completed its rapid geo-hazard assessment of 1,473 villages in Leyte and Biliran.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes said the geo-hazard maps will be distributed to the different barangays after the assessment team, together with the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration and the National Disaster Coordinating Council, has conducted an information campaign in these areas on what to do during floods and landslides.

Reyes said the 35-member team of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau completed its geo-hazard assessment of the two Eastern Visayas provinces last May 12. 

He said the team gave special attention to communities located at the foot of mountains, on mid-slopes and ridges.

Of the 1,341 Leyte barangays assessed, 117 were found to have high landslide susceptibility; 240, moderate; 245, low; and 739, not prone at all, said team leader Antonio Apostol.

In Biliran, meanwhile,132 barangays were assessed, and 18 of them were found to be highly susceptible to landslides; 45, moderately susceptible; 34, lowly susceptible; and 35, not susceptible at all, Apostol said.

Reyes said highly prone areas are those which have indications of active or recent landslides, "large-tension" cracks that could directly affect the community, drainage systems susceptible to damming during landslides, and steep slopes.