CENTRAL VISAYAS, March 18 (PIA) --- The
Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-7) is set to conduct a detailed
geohazard assessment and mapping of about 17 towns comprising the 332
barangays in Central Visayas this year.
The scale of 1:10,000 geohazard
assessment and mapping program is expected to be completed this year in which
the allocated budget reached P4.318 million.
The 1:10,000-scale intends to indicate
more details of the area covered by the map which may include the specific
physical characteristics or environment of each sitio or “purok” in a barangay.
In a press release, MGB 7 Regional
Director Loreto Alburo said the initiative is a priority program under
Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III's administration to ensure that
lives and pieces of property are protected against the possibility of
landslides and flooding given the adverse and extreme weather conditions.
MGB-7 then released the areas set for
assessment and mapping comprising 166 barangays and nine towns in Cebu,
including: Badian, 29; Alegria, 9; Malabuyoc and Ginatilan with 14 each;
Borbob, 19; Tabogon, 25; Daanbantayan, 20; Samboan, 15; and Oslob with 15.
This also includes the 166 barangays in
Bohol covering Batuan with 15; Dimiao, 35; Loay, 24; Mabini, 22; Candijay, 21;
Lila, 18; Anda, 16; and Alicia with 15.
Alburo added that “the 332 are
prioritized based on the results of the 1:50,000-scale which indicates a number
of barangays which are either critical or very high vulnerability to geological
hazards such as flooding and landslides.”
In line with this, he said that a team of assessment geologists
will then re-issue appropriate warnings and geohazards advisories to the Office
of the Mayor and barangay officials for record and file.
He also clarified that assessment
results will be important for the local chief executives to implement
mitigating measures based on the findings and observations or readiness when
disaster hits.
He added that geohazard maps serve as an important tool in
disaster risk reduction and management. (rmn/AYS/MGB-DENR 7)