Geo-hazard mapping fully completed by next month

MANILA, Philippines - The geo-hazard mapping project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) will be fully completed by next month, an official said.

DENR Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Demetrio Ignacio said they are just waiting for the geo-hazard mapping of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao for the entire project to be completed.

“The project aims to reduce the risk of disaster by identifying sites in the country that are geologically hazardous. In this manner, the residents can prepare and cope with the impacts of environmental emergencies and disasters,” Ignacio said in a recent forum in Quezon City.

Ignacio said they will tap local government officials such as governors and mayors in helping them distribute the maps to communities.

Last June, the DENR inked an agreement with the Department of Social Welfare and Development on a P3.5-million project that aims to reduce disaster risks by identifying geologically hazardous sites in the Bicol region.

The project is being implemented in Albay (Camalig and Guinobatan towns), Sorsogon (Pilar and Donsol towns) and Catanduanes (Pandan, Caramoran, Sam Andres, Virac and Bato towns) until December.

Under the project, the DENR is responsible in producing geo-hazard map themes for use as inputs in disaster risk reduction and land use planning.

Local government and barangay officials will be trained on how to use the geo-hazard maps for disaster preparedness.

Aside from distributing geo-hazard maps, the DENR will also conduct capacity-building training on disaster preparedness, risk reduction and early warning to selected communities.