The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-7 has advised anew the possibility of landslides and flooding as a result of an active low pressure area (LPA) which brings more rains.

This came after a team of geologists on its rapid geohazard assessment, which was completed in 2009, found out that portions of areas of nearly 80 barangays within Cebu province are highly susceptible to landslides and flooding.

In Cebu City, 20 barangays are highly susceptible landslides, namely, Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Pulangbato,Taptap, Tagbao, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan, Sapangdaku, and Adlaon.

On the other hand, Barangays Tagjaguimit, Alpaco, Balirong, Mayana, Naalad, and Cogon in City of Naga are rated high landslides susceptibility.

Eleven barangays in Balamban have high landslides susceptibility and these are: Hingatmonan, Lamesa, Luca, Ginatilan, Cabasiangan, Matun-og, Cansomoroy, Gaas, Magsaysay, Cabagdalan, and Duangan; Five barangays in Toledo City: Tungkay, Pangamihan, Bagacay, Loay and Don Andres Soriano; Lamac in Pinamungahan.

Five barangays in Asturias also have high landslides susceptibility, namely, Agbanga, Baye, Bairan, Kanluangan and Sak-sak; 12 barangays in Catmon: Amancion,  Anapog, Bactas, Bongyas, ambangkaya, Cabungaan, Can-ibuang, Duyan, Ginabucan, Panalipan, Tabili and Tinabyonan). all mountain barangays in Talisay City; Brgy. Doldol, Purok 3 in Dumanjug; and Cansalonoy and Vive in Ronda.

Meanwhile, the assessment also reveals that there are five barangays in Cebu City that are considered to be most hazardous to flooding and these are Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo, and Bonbon; and seven barangays in Mandaue City to include Subangdaku, Mantuyong, Umapad, Opao, Alang-alang, Guizo, and Pakna-an.

DENR-7 Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso cited Secretary Ramon JP Paje’s pushed for local chief executives to prohibit habitation in areas declared as “highly susceptible” to flooding and landslides by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau of the DENR to protect people’s lives and pieces of property.

MGB-7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo said that the MGB has already completed the geohazard assessment and mapping throughout the region, and has distributed geohazard maps with a scale of 1:50,000 to all local government units.

He also urged local officials to make use of the geohazard maps and the findings and recommendations of the team, and implement the necessary measures to reduce the impact of landslides and flooding within their areas of responsibility.

Areas which have been declared as “highly susceptible” to flooding and landslides by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau should be carefully monitored by the local government officials.