Around 86 barangays in four towns in Bohol have been mapped out recently for geohazards identification.

“This is a continuing effort of the government to make sure that communities are protected against the possibility of landslides and flooding given the unpleasant and extreme weather conditions,” said Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo.

The four towns include Pilar with 21 barangays; Balilihan, 31; Antequera, 21; and Sevilla 13.

Except for Pilar town where all the barangays went a 1:10,000-scale mapping, the three municipalities have been assessed as these were the badly-hit areas after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake that jolted the province of Bohol last October 15, 2013.

Geohazards or geological hazards include rain-induced landslides and flooding, sinkholes, and earthquakes.

“There are some houses and schools within the towns of Balilihan, Antequera and Sevilla were gravely affected and the assessment is part of the 42,771 households and 650 school sites requested by Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto to pursue various shelter development programs,” Alburo added.

The 1:10,000-scale will show more details of the area covered by the map which may include the specific physical characteristics or environment of each sitio or “purok” in a barangay.

Among the important information that can be revealed in a 1:10,000-scale geohazard map include parameters or features in the area that may affect ground stability and the type of landslides or flooding that can possibly occur in the area.

The 1:10,000-scale geohazard map is expected to be completed in 2014.

The members of the geohazards and mapping team who completed the activity last April 16 included senior geologists Maria Elena Lupo, Josephine Aleta, and Abraham Lucero Jr. with geologists Stephen Vingno and Vida Vanessa Sangcal.

Alburo said the assessment team issued appropriate warnings and geohazards advisories to the barangay captains including the mayor of the said towns.

He added assessment results will provide to them so that they can begin with initiating measures to reduce possible impacts or effects of these geological hazards.