ILOILO CITY – About 191 barangays in 17 municipalities and three cities in Western Visayas were assessed this year by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 6 (MGB-6) of the Department of Environmenta and Natural Resources (DENR) as prone to potential geologic hazards.

These areas are susceptible particularly to landslides and flooding based on the recent and previous geohazard assessments conducted by geologists of MGB-6.

MGB-6 OIC-Regional Director Leo Van V. Juguan said DENR Secretary Angelo T. Reyes has ordered the updating of geohazard maps as part of the country’s disaster preparedness measure and one of the top priorities of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Initial results of the geohazard assessment were disseminated to concerned localities during a meeting or pulung-pulong with barangay officials where an advisory is also given.

The MGB-6 geohazard assessments showed that in Iloilo, 11 municipalities assessed have barangays that are prone to landslides. These municipalities are Alimodian, Calinog, Lambunao, San Joaquin, Barotac Viejo, Igbaras, Tubungan, Ajuy, Leon, Janiuay, and Cabatuan.

Previous assessments identified areas in the province as prone to soil movement. These areas are in Passi City, Pototan, Dingle, Maasin, Dueñas, Dumangas, and San Miguel.

In Antique Province, the municipalities identified with barangays prone to landslide are Hamtic, Culasi, and Tibiao, and specific areas in Anini-y, San Remegio, Sibalom, Libertad, Pandan, Sebaste, Belison, Valderrama, Barbasa, Lauaan, and Bugasong.

Barangays in Nabas have been identified by the MGB-6 as landslide-prone in the province of Aklan and some areas in Buruanga, Tangalan, Ibajay, Malinao, Makato, Libacao, and Madalag.

In Capiz, the areas identified as landslide-prone are in Cuartero, Dao, Dumarao, and Barangay Dinginan in Roxas City.

In Negros Occidental, the MGB-6 assessment identified San Carlos City and Don Salvador Benedicto with landslide-prone barangays.

In Region 6, the flood-prone areas identified by the MGB-6 are: Iloilo City, coastal areas in Oton, Leganes, Zarraga, Barotac Nuevo, Barotac 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, 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, Antique Province.

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 Sapi-an and Ivisan, and Tinagong Dagat, Pontevedra in Capiz; and coastal areas in Bacolod City, E.B. Magalona, Victorias City, Cadiz City, Silay City, Talisay City, Bago City, Pulupandan, Pontevedra, La Carlota City, Hinigaran City, Himamaylan, Ilog, Sipalay City; San Carlos City; along the river in La Castellana and Kabankalan City; low-lying areas in San Enrique, Don Salvador Benedicto, Valladolid and Escalante City, in Negros Occidental. (MGB-6; PIA)

19 December 2006

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For inquiries and for any information on possible geohazards in your area in Western Visayas, please call us at telephone numbers (033) 3362815/5088029/5087533 or write us at Mines and Geosciences Bureau Region 6, 2nd Floor, Queen City Garden Mall, J. de Leon Street, Iloilo City, or email us at mgb6iloilo@yahoo.com.