Around 86 barangays in four towns in Bohol have been mapped out recently for geohazards identification by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7). The four towns identified are Pilar with 21 barangays; Balilihan, 31; Antequera, 21; and Sevilla 13. All the barangays in Pilar town are being assessed with a 1:10,000-scale mapping, while the three other municipalities have been assessed as these were the badly-hit areas by the 7.2 magnitude quake that jolted the province of Bohol on October 15, 2013. Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-7) Regional Director Loreto Alburo said “this is a continuing effort of the government to make sure that communities are protected against the possibility of landslides and flooding given the unpleasant and extreme weather conditions.”

“There are some houses and schools within the towns of Balilihan, Antequera and Sevilla that were gravely affected and the assessment is part of the 42,771 households and 650 school sites requested by Bohol Governor Edgar Chatto to pursue various shelter development programs,” Alburo added. Geohazards or geological hazards include rain-induced landslides and flooding, sinkholes, and earthquakes. 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. The 1:10,000-scale geohazard map is expected to be completed in 2014.

The members of the geohazards and mapping team who completed the activity last April 16 included senior geologists Maria Elena Lupo, Josephine Aleta, and Abraham Lucero Jr. with geologists Stephen Vingno and Vida Vanessa Sangcal. Alburo said the assessment team issued appropriate warnings and geohazards advisories to the barangay captains including the mayor of the said towns. He added that the assessment results will be provided to them so that they can begin with initiating measures to reduce possible impacts or effects of these geological hazards.(Hazel F. Gloria/PIA)