PALO, Leyte, Philippines — The Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau (MGB) said on Monday that residents in landslideand flood-prone areas in Catarman, Northern Samar, have long been advised to relocate as they are in danger of being wiped out in the event of heavy rains in the future.
MGB Region 8 Director Roger de Dios said there have been identified landslide-prone areas and floodprone communities in Catarman in their office’s recent survey.
De Dios said the MGB-8 survey team that conducted the geohazard assessment and geologic mapping found out that 11 of the 23 communities surveyed were prone or vulnerable to landslides “due to steep slopes, weak rock formations and past landslide incidents.”
He identified the 11 communities as Cag-abaca, Cal-igang, Doña Pulqueria, Imelda, Macagtas, McKinley, New Rizal, Tinowaran, slope regions of UEP Zone 1, Sitio Norsarc of UEP Zone 3, and Washington.
De Dios said the team also found that almost all of these 23 barangays are prone to flooding that may last up to three days with water possibly going up the height of 1.5 meters.
He identified these as Aguinaldo, Bangkerohan, Baybay, Cag-abaca, Cal-igang, Gakaw/Bukasan of Cawayan, Daganas, Doña Pulqueria, Galutan, Hinatad, Libjo, Macagtas, McKinley, New Rizal, Polangi, Somoge, Tinowaran, Sitio Tabor of UEP Zone 3, and Washington.
At present, De Dios said, residents in the aforementioned areas have not yet been relocated and his office is now advising local government officials to implement a resettlement program before tragedy strikes.
Particular focus must be on houses built on steep slopes and beside creeks and riverbanks.
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