A smartphone application that will identify disaster-prone areas in Central Visayas is being developed by the regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau-7 (MGB-7).
Al Emil Birador, MGB-7 chief geologist, said they already finished conducting geohazard mapping to identify critical areas in Region 7.
He also said they gave geohazard maps to all local government units (LGUs) before 2010.
The maps, which have a scale of 1:50,000 and 1:10,000, specify the areas that are prone to flooding and landslide during calamities. All towns and cities are covered.
Birador said the map enables the public to determine the vulnerability of the areas at risk, gives accurate information to LGUs on specific areas where people need to be evacuated and enables local officials to mobilize response teams.
Monitoring
He identified portions of Mandaue, Talisay City, Cebu City and the towns of Consolacion and Liloan as prone to flooding.
Upland barangays of Talisay City and Cebu City are prone to landslide.
The MGB-7 is now working to digitize the maps, Birador said.
He said the LGUs in these areas should conduct regular monitoring and implement mitigating measures this early.
“This also helps map out disaster risk reduction activities of every town because this is part of the action plan of every LGU in relation to Republic Act 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010,” Birador said.
He said the app will identify the levels of susceptibility of every town ranging from low (yellow), moderate (green) and high risk (red).
Campaign
Dr. Eddie Llamedo, information officer of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7), said the app will also benefit those who want to buy a house and lot.
“We could see the complete picture of a barangay or even a sitio. We could see the areas that are vulnerable to flooding and landslide,” he said.
The MGB-7 said it will intensify its information campaign down to the barangay level next year.
Barangay officials and barangay residents will be taught how to read the geohazard maps so they will know where to stay and which places to avoid.