MGB tags landslide-prone brgys in EV

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines – A total of 2,531 out of 3,198 barangays in Eastern Visayas have been marked prone to landslide, according to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau-Region 8.

MGB-8 records showed that in Biliran province there are 99 of its 113 barangays vulnerable to landslide, 219 out of 373 barangays in Eastern Samar, 645 out of 891 in Leyte, 386 out of 490 in Northern Samar, 728 out of 863 in Samar; and 469 out of 545 in Southern Leyte.

The findings were the bases used by MGB-8 director Roger de Dios in his appeal to local officials for them to undertake necessary precautions to avoid landslide incidents.

De Dios said local officials have the responsibility to remove or relocate people living in barangays prone to landslide.

In February 2006, a massive landslide buried thousands at Barangay Guinsaugon in Saint Bernard town, Southern Leyte. - THE FREEMAN