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MGB identifies geo-hazard prone areas in the Cordillera

BAGUIO CITY (Feb. 23) — The Regional Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office here identified geo-hazard prone areas in the Cordillera prior to the Guinsaugun landslide tragedy.

MGB Regional Director Neoman dela Cruz explained that the Cordillera Region is in the top ten geo-hazard prone areas in the Philippines because of existing fault lines crisscrossing the Cordilleras, which include the Philippine Fault starting and its split faults, the Burnham fault and Tebo fault.

Dela Cruz identified most portions of barangays Crystal Cave, Dominican Hill and Mirador Hill as the most affected areas in the city of Baguio. He explained that said barangays experience subsidence or sinking because they are overlain by limestone, which when reacted with water creates sinkholes.

He also recognized the whole of Poblacion, Mankayan, Benguet as a sinking area due to soil creep, which is a slow movement of soil downward.

He denied claims that the underground undertakings of the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company in the area caused the soil creep in Mankayan. He said that natural occurrences as well as human interventions like road and building constructions caused on going soil creep.

Based on these studies, they recommended immediate relocations of residents concerned in the said areas. However, both declined.

He also disclosed that ground movement affect a portion at the Benguet State University (BSU) as well as the Provincial Capitol causing instability of buildings built in the said areas. He explained that these are due to the vertical, horizontal or backward and forward displacements of the ground surface caused by fault lines.

He further identified Kennon Road and some portions of Naguillian Road as landslide prone areas due to steep slopes found in the crevices along the road. He added that Halsema Highway is safe compared to the two earlier roads.

In the whole region, recognized flood-prone areas also are City Camp Lagoon, Baguio City), San Quintin, Abra, and Lamut, Ifugao. He explained that irresponsible garbage disposal of garbage caused the City Camp Lagoon the flood during the typhoon Ferya.

Finally, he said that before the construction of any building will start, the proponents should consult their office first for a geo-hazard survey on the area. He added that MGB issued Environmental Compliance Certificate to big constructions such as subdivisions before the construction starts. # Florence Batawang and Angely Lubo, UP Interns for NORDIS

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