Though ‘Sendong’ a part of 100-year cycle, logging cited by MGB director

MANILA, Philippines—Extreme cases of flooding like what Tropical Storm “Sendong” unleashed in the cities of Iligan and Cagayan de Oro follow a 100-year cycle, a government scientist-expert says on Tuesday.

“It’s part of a climatic pattern. It’s a pattern of nature. We saw it in our statistics and the last time this type of flooding happened was in 1916,”  said Leo Jazareno, director of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, in an interview Tuesday with program anchors Susan K, Den Macaranas and Dylan Halili of “Good Morning Inquirer”on Radyo Inquirer 990AM.

“But as years go by, the strength of flooding increases,” Jazareno said.

He added for weaker typhoons, it follows a 25-or-50 year cycle.

In the case of “Sendong,” he pointed out the vulnerability of Cagayan de Oro City because of the Cagayan River, which brought massive amounts of water from Kalatungan Mountain Range of Bukidnon.

He also cited the Iponan River, which passes both Cagayan de Oro and Iligan cities.

Asked about the presence of processed logs in the flood as shown in TV footages, Jasanero said there have been reports of sawmills operating in the affected areas though it’s been outlawed a long time ago.

“Kalbo na yung taas ng bundok (Mountain tops have been denuded),” said Jasanero. Jamie Elona, INQUIRER.net

For the full interview, listen to the attached audio clip from Radyo Inquirer 990AM.