EDITORIALS

Commemorating the eighth year of the Northern Philippine Times
As the Northern Philippines Times commemorates its eighth year of continuous publication, it would like to thank those who helped it expand as a respectable and readable paper which adheres to journalistic norms and traditions.

To the writers, advertisers, sellers, readers and those who in one way or another contributed to the NPT’s reaching another year, once again -- Thank You!


Residents living on landslide-prone areas in danger with onset of La Nina
The Cordillera Mines and Geosciences Bureau has warned residents of the region to
be extra careful, especially with the onset of La Niña, due to expected occurrence of landslides in various areas. MGB said the region is vulnerable to landslides because of its mountainous terrain.

However, experts could not say how susceptible the region is to landslides even if the agency has already completed the foreign-funded landslide susceptibility map of this mountain resort city and Benguet.

The geo-hazard mapping and the geo-hazard report by the MGB aims to help residents of identified high-risk areas to institute mitigating measures in their structures and allow local government units to prepare their disaster-risk management plans that would prevent the loss of lives and damage to properties.

The past years, strong rains caused by the series of natural calamities that hit the region led to the loss of hundreds of lives and damage to properties.

Geohazard experts predicted that La Niña, coupled with the daily strong rains during
the summer season will endanger lives of thousands of residents residing in landslide-prone areas and within mountain slopes due to the reported loosening of the soil. Mapping and assessment, according to the MGB, was intended to provide technical assistance to localities in formulating comprehensive disaster-risk management plans. For those living in risk areas, be forewarned.