Ferliza Calizar-Contratista
CEBU CITY,
August 4 (PIA) -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-7)
called on all local chief executives to make use of the more detailed
geo-hazard maps in disaster preparedness.
In the recently held Kapihan sa
PIA Cebu, MGB-7 officials said they were done with the geo-hazard
mapping of all local government units in Region 7.
“We already provided the concerned
LGUs with the maps which are now 1:10,000 scale, more detailed,” according to
Al Emil Berador, MGB-7 Geosciences Division chief.
Earlier this year, they launched the
distribution in the province of Siquijor alongside an information education and
communication activity.
The maps include flood and landslide
prone areas and are readily accessible and printable from the MGB website.
Berador said these maps are
already more detailed compared to the previous maps they produced which were
only on a 1:50,000 scale.
Supervising Geoloogist Ma.
Elena Lupo said the barangay captains or disaster heads can request for a
complete list of flood and landslide prone places.
“There is already a directive
integrating the maps into the Comprehensive Land Use Planning of the locality,”
Lupo said.
Unfortunately, Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) does not have the power to sanction
the barangay captains, mayors and governors who are not making use of the
available maps.
MGB officials added that two other
mappings are ongoing.
These include the Subsidence Hazard
Mapping and the Coastal Area Geo Hazard Mapping.
The Geohazard Mapping and
Assessment Program began during the administration of President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo.
Its main objective is to identify
areas in the country which are susceptible or vulnerable to various geologic
hazards, or geohazards.
The program also seeks to provide
information to various stakeholders to lessen or mitigate the impact of these
events. (rmn/fcc/PIA-Cebu)