MGB integrates storm surge warnings in geohazard maps; Minglanilla, Talisay at risk

THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) will include in its geohazards mapping and information campaigns the vulnerability of towns and cities in Central Visayas to storm surge.

This came as a lesson after the storm surge caused by supertyphoon Yolanda devastated buildings and houses in Eastern Visayas leaving thousands dead.

“If geologists see that a certain area is prone to storm surges, it will be included in the geohazard threat advisories to be issued to LGU chief executives,” said Eddie Llamedo, information officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 where the MGB is under as a line bureau.

Currently, MGB geohazard advisories only cover landslides and floods. When storm surges spawned by the southwest monsoon or habagat, hit the coastal areas of Talisay City and Minglanilla last October, the MGB explained that they still have to include the storm surge in their geohazard maps as identifying such is under the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Administration (Pagasa).

The MGB however pushed with urgency the integration of storm surge warnings in their geohazard maps because of the devastation caused by storm surges in Leyte and Eastern Samar during supertyphoon Yolanda last Nov. 8.

In a 2011 MGB assessment, some areas in the province were found to have high vulnerability to storm surges.

Llamedo said barangay Tangke and other coastal barangays in Talisay City and Minglanilla are highly vulnerable and critical to storm surge.

Preemptive evacuation has always been the recommendation for these areas during typhoons and southwest monsoon winds.

But since storm surges are relatively a “new phenomenon” in the country, it has not been given much focus.

“Given the impact the storm surge caused by Yolanda, there is a need to reconfigure our disaster preparedness and disaster mitigation,” Llamedo said.

Reconfiguring involves several concerns the DENR can step in, Llamedo said. First is more intensive education campaigns to LGUs.

“For the entire region, we have very critical areas and barangays so will start with these. We will be gathering communities and barangay officials to do hands on explanation of our advisories,” Llamedo

Evacuation centers should also be rechecked if these can really withstand strong disasters.

During Yolanda, several established evacuation centers were destroyed by the strong winds.

Disaster teams should also be checked whether they need more training for capacity building.

Lastly, Llamedo said they will work in coordination with LGUs in removing communities that live in coastal areas and other flood prone areas.

“DENR has been doing what it can to help especially in providing technical assistance. Enforcement and implementation of these are judgment calls of local chief executives,” he added.