‘195 Areas Prone To Geologic Hazards’

About 195 villages (barangays) in 17 municipalities and three cities in Western Visayas are areas considered prone to geologic hazards by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB). These areas are susceptible particularly to landslides and flooding based on the previous and recent geohazard assessments conducted by the geologists of the MGB.
MGB’s assessment also showed that among the provinces in the region, Iloilo has the most number of municipalities with landslide prone barangays. These municipalities are Alimodian, Calinog, Lambunao, San Joaquin, Barotac Viejo, Igbaras, Tugbungan, Ajuy, Leon, Janiuay and Cabatuan.
The study also identified areas in Iloilo province prone to soil movement. These areas are in Passi City, Pototan, Dingle, Maasin, Duenas, Dumangas, and San Miguel.
In Antique province, the municipalities listed with barangays prone to landslide are Hamtic, Culasi, and Tibiao and specific areas in Anini-y, San Remigio, Sibalom, Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Belison, Valderrama, Barbasa, Lauaan and Bugasong.
In Aklan, only the municipality of Nabas is identified by the MGB with landslide prone barangays and specific areas in Buruanga, Tangalan, Ibajay, Malinao, Makato, Libacao, Malay and Madalag.
In Capiz, the landslide prone areas identified are in Cuartero, Dao, Dumarao and Barangay Dinginan in Roxas City.
In Negros Occidental, the MGB assessment listed San Carlos City and Don Salvador Benedicto with landslide prone barangays.
In Region 6, the flood prone areas MGB identified are: Iloilo City; coastal areas in Oton, Leganes, Zarraga, Btac. Nuevo, Btac. Viejo and low lying areas in Calinog, Pototan, Dingle, Anilao, Maasin, Alimodian, Sta. Barbara, San Miguel, Pavia, Ajuy, Dumangas, Sara, Estancia, Balasan, Carles, Tigbauan, Leon and some barangays in Lambunao and Banate in Iloilo Province; near the coast and river mouth of Tibiao; near Sibalom River, Sibalom and San Remegio, coastal areas of San Jose, Hamtic and Belison and low-lying areas in Sebaste, Bugasong, Culasi, Lauaan and Barbasa in Antique.
Other identified flood-prone sites include the coastal areas in Altavas and Numancia, along Aklan River, Kalibo and low-lying areas in Batan, Balete, Libacao, Tangalan, Makato, Banga and New Washington for the province of Aklan; portions of Roxas City, Sigma, Mambusao, Jamindan, Dao, Cuartero, Dumalag, Dumarao, Maayon, coastal areas in Sapian and Ivisan in Capiz and the coastal areas in Bacolod City, E.B. Magalona, Victorias City, Cadiz City, Silay City, Talisay City, Bago City, Pulupandan, Pontevedra, La Carlota City, along the river in La Castellana and Kabankalan City, low-lying areas in San Enrique, Don Salvador Benedicto, Valladolid and Escalante City for Negros Occidental.
MGB OIC Regional Director Leo Van Juguan said Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Angelo Reyes has ordered the updating of this Geohazard Map recently as part of the country’s disaster preparedness measure. /MP mailto:madyaas_pen@yahoo.com