Iloilo City (PIA) - - The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) VI of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources reported that it has started the quadrangle mapping and groundwater resource assessment in the three provinces of Western Visayas this February.

Technical personnel were already deployed in identified areas of the provinces of Capiz, Aklan and Iloilo to conduct the mapping and assessment.

In a press report,  MGB VI Regional Director Raul A. Laput said that a team of geologists is now in the early phase of quadrangle mapping and survey of Artuz quadrangle straddling the municipalities of Calinog, Iloilo; Tapaz, Capiz; and Libacao, Aklan. 

The program involves the assessment of the geology and mineral potential of areas, inventory of mineral prospects or deposits and upgrading or digitization of existing geologic maps.  Out of the field activities, geologic reports are produced.

Also, a geologist and chemist are currently conducting the first phase of groundwater resource and vulnerability assessment in Alimodian, and Cabatuan towns in Iloilo. This is part of the Geological Risk Reduction and Resiliency Program of the agency.

Groundwater resource assessment determines the availability and source of groundwater in the various rock units of the entire country, using the watershed approach.  It includes a systematic collection of geologic, hydrologic, and meteorological information.  

On the other hand, groundwater quality assessments determine the physical and chemical properties of water from wells which are collected and brought to laboratories at the MGB CO and EMB.  (MGB,DENR/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)