Loren: Geo-Hazard map huwag balewalain

MANILA, Philippines - Iginiit kahapon ni Sen. Loren Legarda ang kaha­lagahan ng distribusyon, paggamit at updating ng geo-hazard maps upang maiwasan na maulit ang mga trahedya sa mga komunidad.

Sinabi ni Sen. Legar­da, chairperson ng senate committee on climate change, dapat ay huwag balewalain ang geo-hazard map sa ilang lugar sa bansa upang maiwasan ang katulad na pangya­yari sa Mindanao nang manalasa ang bagyong Pablo.

“Geo-hazard maps will tell us where it is unsafe to build homes. It is only logical not to build subdivisions in flood-prone areas or construct buildings along a fault line. We must use these maps to avoid exposing our homes and our people to disaster risks,” paliwanag pa ni Sen. Loren.

Sa geo-hazard map ay maraming lugar sa Compostela Valley ang naka-kulay pula na ang ibig sabihin ay mataas ang panganib sa landslides.

“It is important that we have these geo-hazard maps, and that these maps should be applied, not only to the regional and provincial level, but also to the local municipalities. Maybe it would even be prudent to ensure that citizens are aware of the vulnerabilities of the communities they live in. It is their right to know the risks present so that they can decide to move to safer places, which should be supported by the local government. In fact, LGUs should already be reloca­ting to safer ground those families and communities in high-risk areas,” giit pa ni Legarda.

“We knew about Typhoon Pablo and we were warned. It is a matter of making our laws work and implementing the disaster mitigation plans and programs on the ground. We also have to update the geo-hazard maps and integrate risk information in development planning, increase investments in improving critical infrastructure, and institutionalize effective and efficient early warning systems that will allow people at risk to respond immediately, therefore averting deaths in disasters,” dagdag pa ng mambabatas.