The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is calling on all local government units (LGU) to revisit the geological hazard maps distributed by the national government and use them as guide for disaster preparedness and management.

The agency made the call amid the series of earthquakes and incessant rain being experienced in Mindanao.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said it is imperative for LGU, especially those in Mindanao, to take a look at the geohazard maps prepared by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) and take note of areas declared as highly susceptible to flooding and landslide.

“The all-important role these maps have in saving lives and properties is once again highlighted by the recent earthquakes and incessant rain being experienced in Mindanao,” Cimatu said.

The DENR chief already instructed the MGB to ascertain that all local government officials have copies of the geohazard maps, including those who were elected for the first time in the May 2019 polls.

Cimatu referred to the geozard map as a “life-saving tool,” and warned the continuous occurrence of aftershocks and frequent rain shower could aggravate things.

Around 200,000 maps, at a scale of 1:10,000, have been produced and distributed to LGU, national government agencies, schools and civil society groups and private organizations engaged in disaster mitigation and relief activities.

A total of 1,618 municipalities nationwide were covered by the MGB’s geohazard mapping program.

Cimatu has ordered the MGB to double its efforts in updating the maps, especially in areas that have been recently hit by typhoons and earthquakes.

“Earthquakes and rains are a deadly combination,” Cimatu pointed out. “Mountainous and hilly areas that experience earthquakes and intense rainfall render these areas highly susceptible to landslides.”

MGB Director Wilfredo Moncano said teams of geologists and mining engineers were immediately dispatched to areas affected by earthquakes and typhoons to conduct rapid damage assessment (RDA) activities.

RDA aims to identify landslide areas and new landslide-prone areas that may have formed as a result of the earthquake and typhoon.

“Five RDA teams are now working in Region 11 and five RDA teams in Region 12,” Moncano said.

Aside from MGB personnel, a part of the RDA teams include engineers from the Department of Public Works and Highways and members of concerned local disaster risk reduction and management offices.