Council to DENR: Give us copy of geohazard map

Cebu City councilors yesterday asked for guidance in the identification of geohazard prone areas especially in barangays serving as urban poor relocation sites.

Councilor Alvin Dizon also asked Dr. Eddie Llamedo, public information office head of the regional office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) to give them a copy of the geohazard map which they promise to reproduce and distribute to the barangays.

Councilor Nida Cabrera said the City engineering Office also needs a copy of the map as it will guide them in the issuance of building permits.

Councilor Noel Wenceslao said identification of geohazard areas is crucial in the city’s plan to already update its zoning ordinance.

“Is there a safe place in Cebu City from flooding, landslide, earthquake? So we can stay there,” Councilor Sisinio Andales asked.

Llamedo told the councilors that there are six sitios in Cebu City that are very critical for landslides. Another 71 sitios have high landslide incidences while 26 others have moderate landslide occurrences. Another 76 sitios are critical to flooding while 92 have moderate flooding occurrences.

In barangay Banilad for example, sitios Mahayahay, Sto. Nino and Calvary Hills are considered high risk landslide-prone areas. In barangay Budlaan where a relocation site is situated, the Mines and Geosciences Board has identified a portion of the Budlaan and Talamban road as highly critical to landslides.

Sitios not included in their list remain safe for occupancy, Llamedo told the council.

Councilor Hanz Abella asked Llamedo if they could also include sinkhole prone areas in their geohazard map.

Llamedo said MGB already completed their survey in Cebu City’s 80 barangays, but their head office is yet to complete the production of the geohazard maps in December.

Their survey and the data they gathered is based on physical observation of the area including its slopes.

He said they really intend to distribute copies of the geohazard maps to local government units after its completion as a non-engineering means to mitigate geohazards.

Other non-costly means include establishment of warning systems in geohazard prone areas, organization of a response team and information dissemination. “There are mitigating measures, engineering interventions but it will entail cost,” said Llamedo.