IMPASSABLE. Fallen trees block the national highway of Casambalangan in Santa Ana, Cagayan, rendering it impassable starting Thursday, Nov. 7. PHOTO COURTESY OF ALYSSA LIQUIGAN
MANILA, Philippines 鈥擳he National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) called on the local government units (LGUs) to utilize the use of the government鈥檚 geohazard maps to pinpoint 鈥渄anger zones鈥� and mitigate the impact of natural disasters.
Undersecretary Ariel Nepomuceno, Civil Defense administrator, said this during a Palace briefing on Friday, in the wake of Typhoon Marce, which entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility last Monday and traversed northern Cagayan on Thursday.
鈥淚f their locations had followed those [geohazard] maps, that disaster probably wouldn鈥檛 have happened,鈥� Nepomuceno said in a mix of Filipino and English.
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鈥淭hat鈥檚 why, in a bigger context and moving forward, the LGUs should really look more seriously on these maps,鈥� he added.
According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources 鈥� Mines and Geosciences Bureau, geohazard maps are essential tools in helping communities prepare for natural disasters and mitigate potential risks.
These maps also serve as a valuable resource for LGUs in the development and revision of their Comprehensive Land Use Plans.
Nepomuceno admitted that it is not easy to relocate, but with the help of geohazard maps, LGUs can transfer families and individuals away from the danger areas.
鈥淟et鈥檚 admit, relocating isn鈥檛 that easy鈥攚e all know that鈥攂ut it has to start sooner, because these storms we鈥檙e experiencing are recurring; that鈥檚 inevitable,鈥� he said in a mix of Filipino and English.
鈥淭his isn鈥檛 about blaming anyone, but it鈥檚 really an appeal to our local government units,鈥� he added. 鈥� Emmanuel John Abris, 黑料社 intern