MGB identifies geo-hazard areas

CEBU, Philippines – Barangays within six municipalities and three cities in Cebu are identified as most hazardous areas, according to Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 Director Loreto Alburo.

MGB 7 classified as highly susceptible to landslide portions of the mountain barangays of Cebu City, Balamban, Toledo City, Pinamungajan, Dumanjug, Ronda, Asturias, Catmon and Talisay City.

This result of a geo-hazard mapping that the MGB conducted was disclosed so the people and the local officials can prepare against the devastating effects of the La Niña phenomenon.

The geo-hazard mapping identifies various geologic features and hazards, as well as determines possible settlement sites and properties that will be affected.

Aside from identifying landslide-prone areas, it also specifies areas that are susceptible to floods and earthquakes, among others.

Provincial Board Member Thadeo Ouano had proposed a resolution urging all local government units in the Province of Cebu and the public, particularly those living in critical areas, to be extra vigilant so as to prevent the loss of lives and property during floods, landslides and other calamities.

He also appeals to every member of the community to refrain from dumping garbages in rivers and canals as this will clog waterways and cause flooding.

According to the MGB assessment, areas with high landslide susceptibility include Cebu City's Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Taptap, Tagbao, Pungol, Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Sapangdaku, and Adlaon.

In Balamban, barangays with hazardous areas are Hingatmonan, Lamesa, Luca, Ginatilan, Cabasiangan, Matunog, Cansomoroy, Gaas, Magsaysay, Cabagdalan, and Duangan.

Catmon also has barangays under this category. These are Amancion, Anapog, Bongyas, Ambangkaya, Cabungaan, Duyan, Ginabucan, Panalipan, Tabili, and Tinabyonan.

The rest of the identified areas are Agbanga, Baye, Bairan, Kanluangan and Saksak in Asturias, as well as barangays Lamac, Pinamungajan and Camp 6 in Talisay City and Ronda's Doldol, Purok 3, Dumanjug and Cansalonoy.

"We are amplifying the conduct of information campaign as to areas where landslide and episodes of flooding will most likely to occur and be vigilant at all times as we don't know when heavy rains will occur especially those communities who are living near or at the foot of the mountain areas," Director Alburo explained. (FREEMAN)