[Iloilo City] – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region VI (MGB VI) has launched its field activities in the first quarter of this year to gather essential scientific data for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) geological risk reduction and resiliency program, spearheaded by the MGB. Geosciences Division Chief and senior geologist, Mae Y. Magarzo, highlighted a series of fieldwork targets set for the year.
“We are currently in the final stages of mapping Karst subsidence hazard areas, specifically conducting sinkhole mapping in Sipalay City, Negros Occidental,” stated Magarzo. Additionally, MGB VI is actively engaged in coastal geohazard assessment and mapping across various municipalities and component cities in Negros Occidental.
The technical team of MGB VI is gearing up to conduct vulnerability risk and assessment (VRA) in Bacolod City, Pontevedra (Negros Occidental), Pandan (Antique), and Libacao (Aklan). This assessment includes the crucial task of updating the 1:10,000 geohazard maps in these areas to account for changes resulting from climate change.
“The necessity for regular updates of geohazard maps is paramount due to the dynamic nature of climate change,” explained Magarzo.
Furthermore, MGB VI is scheduled to conduct an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign across seven Local Government Units (LGUs) to disseminate the findings of completed VRA assessments. Magarzo added, “We will be presenting the results of the VRA in Binagawan, Lambunao, Calinog, and Ajuy (Iloilo), Ivisan (Capiz), as well as in Hinobaan and Sipalay City (Negros Occidental).”
Addressing coastal geohazards and the impact of climate change, MGB VI has initiated the first phase of groundwater resource assessment in Bacolod City, Talisay City, and Silay City (Negros Occidental). (MGB VI)