Iloilo City – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has assessed 12 relocation sites last year as part of its geohazard mapping program.
In Aklan, MGB assessed barangay Old Buswang in Kalibo and barangay Cawayan in New Washington as possible relocation sites for the two municipalities.
In Sigma, Capiz, Purok VII, barangay Amaga was assessed as potential relocation site while in Dao, sitio Mountain Tiger in barangay Poblacion, and sitios Ilaya and 93 in barangay Duyoc were the assessed sites.
MGB also assessed relocation sites in specific municipalities in Iloilo, Antique and Negros Occidental.
The relocation sites are barangay Baje San Julian for the municipality Calinog, barangay Jines for Janiuay, and barangay Nasaka, for Maasin, Iloilo.
Barangay Pandanan in Patnongon, Antique was also assessed as possible relocation site.
In Negros Occidental, sitio Huebesan, barangay Celestino Villacin in Cadiz City, sitio Mambinay, barangay Locotan in Kabankalan City, and sitio Nangka, barangay Bagonbon in San Carlos City were the assessed relocations sites.
According to MGB Regional Director Leo Van V. Juguan, MGB geologists recommended that municipalities with assessed relocation sites should consider the possible relocation of barangays that are located in high-risk areas for landslides or flooding, depending on the applicability of the relocation site to the community’s needs.
The number of relocation sites assessed by MGB is the same as its target number of municipalities for the year in the detailed geohazard mapping program (1:10,000 scale).
The local government can also request for the assessment of relocation sites in their area.
A priority program of MGB, detailed geohazard mapping (1:10,000 scale) for landslide and flooding started in 2011. It is a continuation of the rapid geohazard mapping program (1:50,000 scale) conducted in 2006-2010.
Detailed geohazard mapping is conducted in areas that were previously classified as highly susceptible to landslide and flooding in the rapid geohazard mapping.
“There are risks of landslides and flooding every time there are typhoons and prolonged rains. Preparing for these risks is a must and a whole year round concern, not only when we are already faced with a typhoon or any threatening weather condition. On the part of MGB-6, we will continue our task of geohazard mapping and with the assistance and coordination of partner agencies and other government organizations, the technical information that we have is made available and are used to plan and implement measures towards disaster risk reduction ”Juguan said.
(L. Artajo, MGB-6)