A team of geologists tasked with identifying areas prone to flooding and sinkhole formation was deployed to Cebu following a magnitude 6.9 earthquake that struck off the province on Sept. 30, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Monday.
In a statement, the DENR-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said it dispatched an eight-member team from its Central Office and Central Visayas Regional Office ‘to conduct a comprehensive post-disaster geohazards assessment across several areas in Cebu province.’
‘The assessment aims to identify zones susceptible to flooding, rain-induced landslides, ground subsidence, and sinkhole formation,’ the agency explained.
‘The initiative aims to enhance public safety and guide local government units in land-use planning and disaster risk reduction, particularly in communities situated on karst terrains characterized by limestone formations that are prone to dissolution and collapse,’ it added.
DENR Assistant Secretary Michael Cabalda said the assessment covers ground validation and geohazards data analysis.
‘This study will enable us to pinpoint areas susceptible to flooding, rain-induced landslides, and those areas with high potential for ground subsidence and provide technical recommendations to LGUs for proper zoning, building regulation, and emergency preparedness,’ said Cabalda, who also serves as the MGB director.
He said the results of the assessment will be disseminated to local officials, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and other concerned partners.
To date, the DENR said preliminary surveys have already been conducted in the proposed Tent City, Barangay Cogon, and Bogo City. /mcm