Local execs to be trained on geohazards

Environment Secretary Ramon Paje INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Environment Secretary Ramon Paje has directed the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, an agency under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, to formulate a “comprehensive, all hazards training program” for local government units.

The program will address the needs of local governments, from the provincial to the barangay level, in raising public awareness about geological hazards, particularly landslides and flash floods in vulnerable areas.

“It is high time our people learn to decide what’s best for them and their families during disasters as the government cannot be everywhere, every time,” Paje said in a statement on Saturday.

“There is now a need for LGUs to undertake continuing education of their constituents down to the ‘sitio’ level to better prepare them and help them cope with the effects of typhoons which have become more intense due to climate change,” he added.

Last Monday, rain-induced landslides in Subic, Zambales, killed more than 20 people and destroyed several houses.

Paje said investing in environmental education would make landslide- and flood-prone communities in far-flung provinces more resilient and capable of protecting themselves during calamities.

“There is nothing we could do but to adapt to climate change and the only way we could be prepared for its impact is to accept that these recent developments in our country, like intense weather disturbances, heavy rainfall, and long dry season are now the ‘new normal,’” Paje said.

He said the loss of lives and property damage caused by two landslides in Sitio Masinit and Cabangan in Subic could have been prevented had the residents been informed about the dangers of living in those dangerous places.

According to an MGB report, the landslide-hit areas were situated near the foot of a ridge and volcanic plug that had already been declared  “landslide accumulation zones.”

In a related development, Paje said the agency has already completed the geohazard assessment and mapping of the whole country on a scale of 1:50,000.

The MGB is now working on more detailed maps on  a scale of 1:10,000 (one centimeter on the map represents 100 meters of an actual area). Such detailed maps of more than 400 municipalities have been completed.

Furthermore, the MGB has completed the assessment of 293 municipalities for coastal geohazard and climate change impact, the DENR said.