‘Heed Pagasa’s forecast, study geohazard maps’

Local officials are encouraged to familiarize themselves with geohazard maps and listen to weather bureau’s forecasts so that they could implement measures to reduce the impact of natural disasters on people’s lives and property.

“Local officials should listen to PAGASA’s warning of heavy rains.  In the same way, they should familiarize themselves with their geohazard maps and pay attention to areas  found to be highly susceptible to flooding and landslides,” said  Director Loreto Alburo of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Central Visayas (MGB 7).

Alburo gave this advice after the MGB identified 19 barangays in Cebu City and at least 40 barangays in Cebu province as  “highly susceptible” to landslides.

MGB already completed its geohazard mapping all over the country.

These maps with a scale of 1:50,000 have been distributed to all local government units.

Alburo said local government officials should be acquainted with the geohazard maps to reduce the impact of natural disasters on people and property.

He made his appeal amid reports from the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) of more rains until September despite the end of the La Niña this June.

The residual effects of La Niña would cause possible Ondoy-like rains, said Supervising Science Undersecretary Graciano Yumul of Pagasa.

“We conducted the necessary orientation of our local officials.  The only thing we ask of them is to revisit their geohazard maps, pay attention to the areas declared as highly susceptible to flooding and landslide, and consider these in their disaster plan,” Alburo said.

In Cebu City, 19 barangays are highly susceptible to  landslides, namely, Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Taptap, Tagba-o, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan, Sapangdaku, and Adlaon.  Barangays Tagjaguimit, Alpaco, Balirong, Mayana, Naalad, and Cogon in Naga City; 11 barangays in Balamban: Hingatmonan, Lamesa, Luca, Ginatilan, Cabasiangan, Matun-og, Cansomoroy, Gaas, Magsaysay, Cabagdalan, and Duangan; Five barangays in Toledo City: Tungkay, Pangamihan, Bagacay, Loay and Don Andres Soriano; Lamac in Pinamungahan; Five barangays in Asturias: Agbanga, Baye, Bairan, Kanluangan and Sak-sak; 12 barangays in Catmon: Amancion,  Anapog, Bactas, Bongyas, ambangkaya, Cabungaan, Can-ibuang, Duyan, Ginabucan, Panalipan, Tabili and Tinabyonan); all mountain barangays in Talisay City; baramgau Doldol, Purok 3 in Dumanjug; and Cansalonoy in Ronda.

Alburo said the assessment reveals there are five barangays in Cebu City that are considered to be most hazardous to flooding.

These are Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo, Bonbon; and seven barangays in Mandaue City to include Subangdaku, Mantuyong, Umapad, Opao, Alang-alang, Guizo, and Pakna-an. /Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus