The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 7 has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with JAMMPL Exploration Philippines Inc. for the conduct of a 1:10,000-scale geohazard mapping and assessment covering 54 barangays in Buenavista and Getafe, Bohol.
“This is essentially a product of a public-private partnership with a well-meaning collaborator like JAMMPL Exploration Philippines Inc for responding to the call of fast tracking the geohazards mapping to ensure that lives and property are protected against the possibility of landslides and flooding given the adverse and extreme weather patterns,” said MGB 7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo.
The 1:10,000-scale which is a more detailed assessment includes features in a specific area that may affect ground stability and the type of landslides or flooding that can possibly occur in a given sitio or ‘purok’.
Up for mapping are 30 and 24 barangays in Buenavista and Getafe, respectively.
As indicated in the MOA which was signed last April 30 at the Office of the MGB 7 Regional Director, the company, represented by its President Edwin P. Castro, shall conduct a geohazard assessment of the municipalities of Buenavista and Getafe, Bohol, and shall deliver the output to the MGB 7 on or before May 30, 2014.
In a message during the signing, Alburo said the office shall provide the expertise and training to the technical personnel of the company in carrying out the geohazard mapping and production of geohazards maps in conformity to the guidebook for the standard procedures in the conduct of landslide and flood susceptibility assessment and mapping.
“This mapping is anchored to the Philippine Development Plan (PDP) of the Aquino administration to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change,” he added
“The Office (MGB) 7 shall provide the basic information and data, such as, but not limited to, topographic base maps and geologic maps which are necessary in the field assessment and to coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) and other government agencies and institutions,” the MOA added.
Alburo added the company as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) has committed to work with us as we complete the said undertaking by 2014.
“One of the most important components of the mapping is to get the LGUs informed on the geohazards present in a particular area so that they would be able to implement the appropriate measures to save lives,” he added.
Meanwhile, a geohazards forum and MOA signing is slated on May 7 to be participated in by nearly 25 operating mines and quarries, industrial sand and gravel, and exploration permit holders in the region.