Iloilo City – In a recent interview over the DYLL Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo, Chief Geologist Mae Y. Magarzo of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, DENR Regional Office 6 gave a list of the municipalities and cities that are highly susceptible to landslides and floods based on the geohazards mapping conducted by the MGB, DENR RO-6.
Ms. Magarzo said that the MGB, DENR RO-6 identified the top ten municipalities and cities that have the most number of barangays that are rated as “high” or “very high” in its susceptibility to landslides and floods. She qualified, however, that landslides and floods can also occur in other areas that are not on the top ten lists if the contributing factors most particularly episodes of heavy rains.
The following municipalities and cities have the most number of areas that are highly susceptible to landslides:
Aklan – Libacao, Madalag, Malinao, Ibajay, Tangalan, Nabas, Malay, Buruanga, Balete and Makato
Antique – Valderrama, Laua-an, Barbaza, San Remigio, Patnongon, Bugasong, Tibiao, Culasi, Sebaste and Pandan
Capiz – Tapaz, Jamindan, Maayon, President Roxas, Pilar, Dumarao, Ivisan, Roxas City, Dumalag and Pontevedra
Iloilo – Leon, Tubungan, Igbaras, Miag-ao, San Joaquin, Maasin, Janiuay, Calinog, Lambunao and Alimodian
Guimaras – Jordan, San Lorenzo, Buenavista, Sibunag and Nueva Valencia
Negros Occidental – Cadiz City, Talisay City, Silay City, Murcia, Escalante City, Don Salvador Benedicto, Himamaylan City, Binalbagan and La Carlota City.
Most susceptible to floods are the following municipalities and cities:
Aklan – Kalibo, Numancia, New Washington, Malinao, Banga, Lezo, Madalag, Libacao, Altavas, and Balete
Antique – Barbaza, Sibalom, San Remigio, Valderrama, Patnongon, Laua-an, Bugasong, San Jose, Tibiao and Culasi
Capiz – Dao, Mambusao, Sigma, Sapi-an, Panit-an, Cuartero, Dumalag, Pan-ay, Pontevedra, and Roxas City
Iloilo – Zarraga, Pavia, Dumangas, Leganes, Barotac Nuevo, Pototan, Dingle, San Enrique, Passi City and Calinog
Guimaras – Sibunag, Nueva Valencia, Buenavista, San Lorenzon and Jordan
Negros Occidental – Bago City, Pulupandan, Valladolid, San Enrique, Pontevedra, Cadiz City, Sagay City, Escalante City and E.B. Magallona.
Ms. Magarzo said that natural factors contribute to landslides such as steep slopes, weak rock characteristics, loose thick soil and poor vegetation. They are also triggered by rain which saturates and loosens rock and soil, or by ground movement caused by an earthquake.
Regional Director Leo Van V. Juguan, CESO V of the MGB, DENR RO-6 said that with the onset of the rainy season, it is timely to remind our local government units of the areas where landslides or floods are most likely to occur based on the geohazard maps. There has been much effort on disaster risk reduction and risk management because of our past experiences and having the information will certainly equip us to be more prepared and vigilant, RD Juguan said. (MGB, DENR RO-6)