THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Central Visayas (MGB-7) is giving priority to areas in northern Cebu that were heavily devastated by supertyphoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in the preparation of more detailed geohazard maps.
Teams from the MGB-7 are on field to convert the existing geohazard maps which was scaled at 1:50,000 to more detailed 1:10,000 scale.
Chief geologist Al Emil Berador of MGB-7 said that part of their assessment is to identify schools that are in no build zone areas for them to relocate and have been affected by last year’s earthquake. The assessment of the 650 schools is ongoing.
The MGB’s geohazard map focuses on identifying flood-prone and landslide prone areas.
It is important to identify if schools are in geohazard areas as these are used evacuation centers.
“We are going to use a 1:10,000 scale instead of 1:50,000 to determine and generate a more detailed geohazard map that will serve as a reference for the concerned local government units,” said Berador.
The lower scale (1:50,000) geohazard maps of the MGB can be viewed in the website of the DENR, particularly at https://gdis.denr.gov.ph/mgbviewer/. The detailed mapping have started yesterday till June 30.
He explained that the smaller the scale used, the more detailed the information will be generated. Instead of barangays they will be assessing by sitios in the 12 areas in the north of Cebu to determine areas vulnerable to landslides and flooding.
Six geologists from the MGB-7 will be assigned to the six areas namely Bogo City, Borbon, Daanbantayan, Madridejos, Sogod and Tabogon. While the other eight areas namely Medellin, Pilar, Poro, San Francisco, San Remigio, Tudela, Tabuelan and Tuburan have been outsourced.
He said that the result of the geohazard mapping will be given to the local government units (LGU). Berador said it will only serve as a reference and a recommendation to the LGUs since they have the last say on whether they are going to follow it or not.
Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Visayas (DENR-7) Regional Director Isabelo Montejo hopes that people will not forget easily how the typhoon have destroyed their areas and that they must learn from it.
“I have noticed some people rebuilding settlements in the shorelines of Bantayan and Camotes islands. What will happen if there is another storm surges? We should always follow all the laws pertaining to protection zones and no building zones in the watercode of the Philippines,” said Montejo.
MGB-7 is also coordinating with different agencies like Department of Science and Technology (DOST) to consolidate data for geohazard map. Berador said the mapping has started last 2011 nationwide.