Sunday, January 09, 2011

Philippine Geohazards Map for Region 2 to Complete

The Philippines Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region 2 (DENR-MGB) has reported that its office has already completed the geohazards mapping of four of the five municipalities of Region 2, according to the Philippine Information Agency.

In an interview with Chit Piligan, MGB Supervising Geologist, she explained that geohazards mapping involves both the identification of areas of the country that are prone or susceptible to various geologic hazards, like rain-induced landslides, floods, flash-floods, and other natural events.

Piligan said the geohazards maps of the provinces of Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela and Cagayan are now available at their office and copies of which have been given to the concerned local government units (LGUs).

“The geohazards maps of Quirino and Nueva Vizcaya were already turned over to their provincial government for dissemination to the municipalities and barangays,” the supervising geologist added.

Piligan likewise said that they also conducted Information & Education Campaigns in the Department of Education and in some LGUs.

The MGB has recommended that residents of some barangays of Nueva Vizcaya particularly in Kayapa be relocated because their barangays are landslide and flashflood-prone areas.

The geologist however stressed that they can not blame the residents if they resist to vacate the areas because of fear of losing their livelihoods.

Meanwhile, Piligan said they are presently working on the completion of the geohazard mapping in the province of Batanes.

The Geohazards Mapping is an important component of the government’s disaster management and mitigation program in order to reduce the loss of lives and properties brought by natural disasters.

It is also important for land use planning (CLUPs), land development and the emerging concern on climate-change adaptation.

0 comments:

Post a Comment