KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Soccsksargen is encouraging local government units in the region to make use of the geohazard maps to boost their disaster preparedness measures especially with the onset of the rainy season.

During PIA’s Performing and Informing program, MGB XII regional director Engr. Efren Carido said that as part of their geohazard assessment program, they produce geohazard and vulnerability risk assessment maps.

“Itong mga mapa na ito ay nag-delineate o nagpapakita kung anong mga lugar ang high risk sa landslide, high risk sa flooding, medium risk and low risk sa dalawang geohazards na ito,” Carido said.

Engr. Carido emphasized the importance of these specialized maps which they provide to increase the LGUs’ competence on managing hazards and to enable them to establish their local disaster risk reduction and management system.

“Itong mga mapa na ito ay naging basehan ng LGUs sa paggawa ng kanilang mga local development plans, disaster risk reduction management plans, physical framework planning and other plans because these are necessary inputs that can provide guidance para maging epektibo ang kanilang plano,” he said.

The official also revealed they already completed the geohazard mapping of all cities and municipalities in the region.

Aside from this, MGB also issues advisories for LGUs that might be vulnerable to tropical cyclones, including barangays that are prone to landslides.

“‘Pag may darating na typhoons, we are closely linked sa PAGASA at kino-communicate ‘yan sa regions identifying those barangays and municipalities na possible ang flooding and landslide. So, kino-communicate namin yan sa lahat ng provincial, city at municipal  DRRM offices para guided sila,” Carido said.

Engr. Carido underscored that “geohazards do not have to become a disaster if people are informed and prepared.” (ORV/PIA XII)