BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN
CEBU CITY, July 27 (PIA) – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) concluded its detailed geo-hazard mapping of 1:10,000 scale for 208 priority barangays in northern Cebu severely hit by super typhoon Yolanda late last year.
DENR-7 information officer, Dr. Ed Llamedo bared the barangays are situated in eight municipalities and the city of Bogo. The identified municipalities are Madridejos, Sta. Fe and Bantayan Proper in Bantayan Island, Daan Bantayan, Tabogon, Borbon, Tuburan and Tabuelan.
“The 1:10,000 scale geo-hazard maps are more detailed down to the sitio level where the degree of vulnerability to floods and landslides can be seen,” said Llamedo adding that such comprehensive data can be used by local chief executives to effectively work on their proactive measures on disaster preparedness.
Llamedo, one of the panelists of the Post-Yolanda Press Briefing: Rehabilitation Phase said the local government units (LGUs) concerned have been furnished with the detailed geo-hazard maps complete with recommendations.
Part of the recommendations of the DENR-7 to concerned LGUs is the establishment of a community-based warning system and the establishment of the disaster risk reduction and management committee down to the sitio levels.
Llamedo said accomplishing 1:10,000 scale hazard maps is a priority program under President Aquino’s Philippine Development Plan on climate change mitigation and adaptation. The DENR has until the end of the year to complete the 1:10,000 geo-hazard maps of all barangays down to the sitio level nationwide.
In a United Nations Report on Mortality Risk Index, the Philippines ranks 7th worldwide when it comes to tropical cyclones; 5th when it comes to landslides and 4th globally when it comes to flooding, disclosed Llamedo.
Cebu on the other hand, ranks 7th among all provinces nationwide when it comes to high risk to vulnerability of landslides, said Llamedo.
“Cebu is highly to susceptibility to landslides due to its soil type which is 70 percent limestone and high number of mountainous areas,” Llamedo added.
Llamedo called on LGUs to revisit the geo-hazard maps as basis to make their comprehensive disaster risk reduction and management plans.
The press briefing undertaken by the Philippine Information Agency-7 in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command done twice-a-month aims to highlight continuing government interventions and contributions of government partners in the ongoing rehabilitation and rebuilding phase in post-Yolanda. (mbcn/fcr/PIA7)