MGB to conduct geohazard mapping

CEBU, Philippines - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 will be conducting geohazard assessment and mapping in some 74 barangays in Cebu covering one city and a municipality.

The mapping using a scale of 1:10,000 will be from September 10 to October 5.

In a press statement, Loreto B. Alburo, Regional Director of MGB 7, said that the scale will indicate more details of the area covered by the map, which may include the specific physical characteristics or environment.

Alburo said the project’s priority includes 20 barangays in San Fernando and 54 barangays in Cebu City.

A team of senior geologists composed of Maria Elena S. Lupo and Josephine T. Aleta will determine the vulnerability of each sitio or “purok” in a barangay to landslides and flooding.

Among the important information that can be revealed in a 1:10,000-scale geohazard map include parameters or features in the area that may affect ground stability and the type of landslides or flooding that can possibly occur in the area.

A geohazard maps has become an important tool in disaster risk reduction and management.

The two-member team will also identify sites in a barangay where relocation or evacuation areas may be possible when disasters occur.

The 1:10,000-scale geohazard map is expected to be completed in 2014.

Alburo said the geologists will discuss with the local government units on the findings and recommendations immediately after the assessment.

The team will then be issuing appropriate warnings and geohazards advisories to be received by any barangay official so that they can begin initiating measures to reduce possible impacts or effects of these geological hazards.

“We are now embracing a new normal when it comes to the volume of rains being dumped and we would like to respond to that by providing our local communities with a rain-induced geohazards map,” Alburo said.

Meanwhile, landslides threaten houses near a road widening project in Barangay Campo 4 in Talisay City.

After a landslide last Monday, Talisay City Councilors Danny Caballero and Val Ylanan conducted an ocular inspection and found out that the road is almost impassable for residents and could only accommodate one vehicle at a time.

Caballero, said the residents were already advised to evacuate but most of them refused.

There are about 50 residents in the area whose houses are by the roadside.

Caballero informed his colleagues in the council about the situation and according to Vice Mayor Alan Bucao, heavy equipment from the engineering office were already sent to clear the area.

Gamaliele Vicente, the assistant city engineer, said that widening project is being undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

Jovencio Navecilla, 59, whose house was almost hit by the landslide, said he has been residing there for more than 10 years and it was the first time they experienced landslide.

Vicente said that during the landslide last Monday, one of the heavy equipment of QM-Builder, the contractor of the project, was also covered. Fortunately, no one was hurt as the operator of the equipment was not there.

Ylanan said the city should tell DPWH to find ways to avoid landslide as they proceed with their project.

But Willy Abatayo, field supervisor of QM-Builder, denied that they caused the landslide.

He explained that the soil that they extracted from the area was immediately transferred to another place.

He added they hired people to control the traffic flow of the area and placed road signs in order to warn motorists. — (FREEMAN)