The Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. XIII commenced its Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign of the 1:10, 000 scale geohazard maps and the presentation of the highlights of the Results of the 1:10K Geohazard Mapping and Assessment in the whole Province of Dinagat Islands and part of the Province of Agusan del Norte last May 31, 2016 to June 10, 2016 and June 22-24, 2016. A total of two hundred thirty (230) barangays and nine municipalities and one (1) city were covered by the IEC Campaign on the following dates:
- Twenty-five (25) barangays of Basilisa, PDI June 6, 2016
- Fourteen (14) barangays of Cagdianao, PDI June 4, 2016
- Twelve (12) barangays of Dinagat Islands, PDI June 1, 2016
- Fifteen (15) barangays of Libjo, PDI June 6, 2016
- Ten (10) barangays of Loreto, PDI June 3, 2016
- Twelve (12) barangays of San Jose, PDI June 7, 2016
- Nine (9) barangays of Tubajon, PDI June 2, 2016
- Nineteen (19) barangays of Nasipit, ADN June 9, 2016
- Twenty-five (25) barangays of Buenavista , ADN June 10, 2016
- Eighty-six (86) barangays of Butuan City June 22-24, 2016
Municipal Mayors, Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction Management Officers, Key Officers, Members of the Municipal DRRMC, and Barangay Captains or Representatives of the above-mentioned areas were among the participants during the IEC.
The main purpose of the IEC was to provide the Barangay LGUS with 1:10,000 scale geohazard maps and present the highlights of the Results of the 1:10K Geohazard Mapping and Assessment. Considering the increasing occurrence of natural disasters, the said IEC fostered collaborative efforts among the national and local governments and communities to ensure that utmost consciousness, preparedness and response to disasters are achieved.
Mr. Romeo M. Dalodado, Geosciences Division Chief of MGB RO XIII informed the participants that MGB will not only distribute the 1:10, 000 scale geohazard map to LGUs but rather the Office will also conduct a brief lecture and map reading exercises. He explained the importance of geohazard map especially on the part of Bottoms Up Budgeting for LGUs, since the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) required LGUs to secure a Geohazard Certification for any proposed government projects from MGB prior to the release of its funds/budget. He added that a geohazard map could be used as a tool in selecting areas to be developed as relocation/ evacuation site and could be used in integrating disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation initiatives in development /land use plan of barangays and municipalities. He also stated the rationale of the event to the nine (9) municipalities and a special topic on the Soils of Dinagat Islands with emphasis on its implication to land use and landslide hazard was also presented for the Municipalities of Dinagat, Tubajon and San Jose.
The highlights of the Results of the 1:10, 000 scale Landslide and Flood Assessment of the municipalities/city during the IEC Campaign were presented by the following geologists: Ms. Liza T. Pacete, Geologist II – Basilisa, Cagdianao, Libjo and Loreto, Province of Dinagat Islands; Mr. Melvin A. Mantilla, Senior Geologist – Buenavista, Poblacion and East of Agusan River barangays of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte and Ms. Elaine L. Galido, Senior Geologist – West of Agusan River barangays of Butuan City, Agusan del Norte.
Recommendations suitable for areas assessed were discussed and provided by MGB in the Landslide and Flood Threat Advisories of each barangays.
Engr. Esperidion Y. Amper, Jr, SRS I/ICT Focal Person, gave a lecture on how to read and interpret 1:10k scale geohazard maps for M/BLGUs preparedness and awareness of dealing with rain induced hazards in their respective areas. Prior to the distribution of 1;10K geohazard maps per quadrangle per barangay, the participants were required to take part in an actual workshop demonstration to gauge how well/much the participants have learned about map reading.
Ms. Cecilia L. Consuegra, Chair of the Regional Gender and Development Focal Point System, gave a brief discussion about Demographic Profiling. She requested the M/B DRRMO to help GAD gather the Demographic Profile of their respective barangays/ municipalities to be incorporated in the Geohazard maps and to integrate gender perspective in the geohazard mapping and assessment.
On the same note, the MGB ROXIII GSD IEC geohazard team distributed Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials regarding landslide, flood, storm surge and other geologic hazards. Apart from intensifying public awareness of natural hazards, the said materials will also aid in the effective and efficient management of disasters and reduction of casualties and damages to lives and properties.
The Office acknowledged the support given by the PDRRMO Officer of the Province of Dinagat Islands, the Municipal Mayors, MDRRMOs and members of MDRRMC and Barangay Captains or their representatives of the Municipalities of Dinagat Islands, Buenavista, Nasipit and the CDRRMO and workers of CRDDMC Butuan City, Agusan del Norte during the successful conduct of the MGB ROXIII Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign.