82 brgys in Negros Occ deemed landslide-prone

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines  — There are 82 barangays in Negros Occidental that are “landslide-prone,” according to Mines and Geosciences Bureau-6 director regional director Leo Van Juguan.

Juguan disclosed this during the “Local Chief Executives Forum on Geo-hazards” held at the Capitol building last Thursday and organized by the Office of the Civil Defense-6.

The forum briefed Negros Occidental mayors on the geohazard map of the province to ensure that they will have disaster management and mitigation programs in place to reduce loss of lives and properties from natural disasters.

Negros Island is still experiencing aftershocks every now and then, since a magnitude 6.9 quake hit Negros Oriental last February 6, that left more than 50 people dead and million-peso damages to bridges, roads and buildings.

Juguan also said that of the 662 barangays of the 32 towns and cities of Negros Occidental, 557 barangays of these are flood-prone.

OCD-6 director Rozario Cabrera added that the forum was intended to heighten awareness of the mayors on the geo-hazard sites in their respective LGUs so they can take measures to reduce risks.  (FREEMAN)