Baguio City safe despite 70% landslide prone 06-08-06

	NORDIS WEEKLY August 6, 2006
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Baguio City safe despite 70% landslide prone
BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 3) — The Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) claims that Baguio City is still safe even if most areas are identified as landslide prone areas. MGB Director Neoman dela Cruz said that based on DENR records, 60% to 70% of the total land area of the city is prone to landslide. However, he said that as long as residents are aware of the hazard and implement mitigating measures the city is still a safe place to live in. Dela Cruz added that the deterioration of the city’s forest cover and human interventions made the soil susceptible to landslides. “If we are to be followed there should be no houses in slopes that are over 45 degrees but there are other offices responsible for issuing building permits,” dela Cruz said. DENR Supervising Geologist Elias Nacario called on residents to subject their land to geological investigations to identify the proper engineering interventions to mitigate possible disasters. He said geological investigation costs P1000 for residential areas. Nacario advised residents to prepare, especially because typhoons and monsoon rains frequent the city. He said two days of continuous rains would make the soil lose and prone to landslide. Geraldine Cacho of the Organisasyon dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili ti Syudad (Ornus) agreed that geological investigation is important for the safety. However, she said most urban poor families could not afford this service. “Who would not like a safe place to live in? But most of us (urban poor) would rather spend our meager income on food,” Cacho said. Cacho added that the urban poor do not have a better choice than the steep slopes of the city because the areas declared as residential have been occupied and are more expensive. She said that the residential area of the city is not enough to accommodate the growing population. DENR Engr. Felizardo Gacad said the city was designed as a recreation area for 25,000 people. However, at present it houses over 300,000 individuals. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS Post your comments, reactions to this article
Home \| Back to top	Previous \| Next

	NORDIS WEEKLY August 6, 2006
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
Baguio City safe despite 70% landslide prone
BAGUIO CITY (Aug. 3) — The Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (MGB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) claims that Baguio City is still safe even if most areas are identified as landslide prone areas. MGB Director Neoman dela Cruz said that based on DENR records, 60% to 70% of the total land area of the city is prone to landslide. However, he said that as long as residents are aware of the hazard and implement mitigating measures the city is still a safe place to live in. Dela Cruz added that the deterioration of the city’s forest cover and human interventions made the soil susceptible to landslides. “If we are to be followed there should be no houses in slopes that are over 45 degrees but there are other offices responsible for issuing building permits,” dela Cruz said. DENR Supervising Geologist Elias Nacario called on residents to subject their land to geological investigations to identify the proper engineering interventions to mitigate possible disasters. He said geological investigation costs P1000 for residential areas. Nacario advised residents to prepare, especially because typhoons and monsoon rains frequent the city. He said two days of continuous rains would make the soil lose and prone to landslide. Geraldine Cacho of the Organisasyon dagiti Nakurapay nga Umili ti Syudad (Ornus) agreed that geological investigation is important for the safety. However, she said most urban poor families could not afford this service. “Who would not like a safe place to live in? But most of us (urban poor) would rather spend our meager income on food,” Cacho said. Cacho added that the urban poor do not have a better choice than the steep slopes of the city because the areas declared as residential have been occupied and are more expensive. She said that the residential area of the city is not enough to accommodate the growing population. DENR Engr. Felizardo Gacad said the city was designed as a recreation area for 25,000 people. However, at present it houses over 300,000 individuals. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS Post your comments, reactions to this article
Home \| Back to top	Previous \| Next