THE Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) will reproduce next year 10,000 geohazard maps as part of its ongoing mapping and assessment program.
The maps, which identified areas susceptible to various geological hazards, will be distributed to various local government, MGB Director Leo Jasareno said.
Jasareno said the maps with a scale of 1:10:000 will help local governments craft their disaster-risk reduction and management plans and come up with a more informed climate-change mitigation and adaptation programs.
A total of 1,634 cities and towns are expected to receive the maps next year. Jasareno said the distribution will ensure that concerned offices of local governments, particularly those involved in disaster-risk reduction and management planning, climate-change mitigation and adaptation, rescue and land-use planning will be provided with bigger, more accurate and up-to-date maps.
The geohazard mapping and assessment program is composed of three major activities, which include the printing and reproduction of maps, manuals and information materials for public disseminations.
Under the program, the MGB is also mandated to conduct seminars and workshops for local government officials and public-school teachers to increase their awareness and preparedness on natural hazards.
The seminars and workshops are expected to enhance participants’ know-how on the use of the maps.
Jasareno said the MGB will also continue the vulnerability and risk assessment in selected towns to identify the various risks faced by communities “so that they will be more prepared.”
According to Jasareno, the MGB will also continue the conduct of sub-surface assessment to identify sinkholes in various parts of the country.
Hazard assessment is one of four priority programs of the MGB, which is currently seeking a 136-percent budget increase for 2016 to fund the agency’s priority programs, particularly geohazard mapping and assessment.
The MGB’s proposed budget of P1.88 billion for fiscal year 2016 is up from this year’s current budget of P795.37 million.