Some 87 barangays in Negros Oriental have been classified as landslide-prone. {{more}}
Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Oscar Magallones said the DENR has started to identify areas that are prone to landslide to prepare for the onset of the rainy season.
In a Kapihan forum held by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here, Magallones said areas identified as highly vulnerable have the presence of active or recent landslides, have numerous and large tension cracks, are located in steep slopes, have unstable geology or are near faultlines, among others.
Ayungon has 5 barangays; Bacong, 1; Bais City, 8; Basay, 3; Bayawan City, 2; Bindoy, 4; Jimalalud, 8; La Libertad, 11; Mabinay, 1; Manjuyod, 10; Pamplona, 1; San Jose, 3; Siaton, 3; Sibulan, 2; Tanjay City, 1; Tayasan, 6; Valencia, 7; and Vallehermoso, 4.
There are 557 barangays throughout Negros Oriental.
Some 99 barangays have also been identified as belonging to the moderate category in its vulnerability to landslides, said Magallones.
DENR has earlier conducted a geohazard assessment study in the province with the goal of mapping out danger zones vulnerable to natural disasters such as landslides and flashfloods.
Allen Cabaron of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) in the same forum said his office has been conducting seminars and trainings for rescuers and key officials at the local government units and barangay levels on emergency response and disaster preparedness.
Cabaron stressed that the trainings are vital especially at the barangay level. “The barangay is the first line of defense,” he said.
He explained that it is important for the barangays to be self-sufficient in its capacity to respond to emergencies and not depend on the city/municipality or province.
Cabaron also emphasized the need for barangays to have a monitoring system in place with an active monitoring team that will sound out warnings during imminent danger especially in times when evacuation is needed.
This, he said, is one way to avoid the loss of lives during disasters. (PIA/rmn)
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