About 377 barangays covering 17 cities and municipalities in Central Visayas are up for a detailed geohazard assessment and mapping in a zoom-in scale of 1:10,000 this year.

“With a budget of P2.65 million, the program being implemented by MGB which is consistent with President Aquino’s Philippine Development Plan (PDP) is an ongoing priority program of Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon JP Paje,” said MGB 7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo.

He added its main objective is to identify areas which are susceptible or vulnerable to various geologic hazards, or geohazards

“The 377 barangays are prioritized based on the results of the 1:50,000-scale which indicates a number of barangays which are either critical or very high vulnerability to geological hazards such as flooding and landslides,” he said.

“The program also seeks to provide information to various stakeholders in order to lessen or mitigate the impact of these events given the adverse and extreme weather patterns or conditions,” he added.

In Cebu, 221 barangays are due for mapping to include Lapulapu city with 30 barangays, 42 and 27 for Danao and Mandaue cities, respectively. The list also identifies Compostela, 17; Liloan, 14; Consolacion, 21; Cordova, 13; Barili, 42; and Carcar city with 15 barangays.

Also, 41 barangays will be assessed in Siquijor covering Larena with 23 barangays and 18 in Lazi; and Loay, 24 and Loboc, 28, all in Bohol.

Included in the roster of priority barangays are 63 in Negros Oriental to include Amlan, 8; Bacong 22; and Zamboaguita and Dauin, with10 and 23, respectively.

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.

Alburo said a team of geologists will again issue suitable warnings and geohazards advisories to be stamped received by the Office of the Mayor and barangay captain.

He added the results will provide them opportunity to initiate mitigating measures and interventions in disaster risk reduction and management.