Geo-hazard mapping finished by 2009, says DENR
A geo-hazard mapping and assessment is now being `conducted in the province Antique in Region 6 by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) and the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau after finishing the same task in the 41 municipalities of Zamboanga del Sur, the DENR press report disclosed.
In step with President Arroyo's priority concerns, the conduct of the geo-hazard mapping throughout the country is expected to be completed by 2009.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) press report, the geo-hazard mapping project is conducted by the DENR through the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority or NAMRIA and the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, and has already completed 75% of its target after covering 1,098 municipalities of the targeted 1,600 municipalities.
Secretary Lito Atienza said that President Arroyo has approved this year's budget of P60 million for earlier completion of the project. He expressed optimism that the project will be completed by the end of 2009 which is earlier than the 2010 initial target.
The project is aimed not only at determining the susceptibility of areas prone to landslides, floods, liquefaction, ground subsidence and other ground instabilities but also to identify areas for relocation of residents living in said disaster prone-areas.
The DENR Secretary said that under the project, geo-hazard maps at the scale of 1:50,000 will be produced in order to help individuals identify geologic hazards, so that loss of lives and destruction to properties can be minimized if not prevented. (PIA/T.Villavert)