MGB BICOL WARNS PUBLIC AGAINST GEOHAZARDS

LEGAZPI CITY -- Following the recent order of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje, Regional Director Reynulfo A. Juan today renewed his call on local executives in Bicol to take heed of the warnings on geological hazards issued by the Bicol Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-V).

“With the incessant rains being experienced in Bicol in the past weeks, we expect the soil to have been fully saturated. With the forecast from the weather bureau of more rains coming in until February, it is a matter of time that more landslides and flashfloods would be expected in identified disaster-prone areas in Albay, Catanduanes, Camarines Sur, Sorsogon and Camarines Norte.

Juan said that the MGB-V has already completed the geohazard mapping and assessment of the Bicol Region last year. It has distributed geohazard maps to most local government units to integrate preparedness and mitigating measures, including possible relocation or evacuation into their local disaster management plan.

All 113 municipalities and cities regionwide were covered in the MGB-V’s geohazard mapping program. LValdez, MGB V/PIA)