MGB-2 to LGUs: Relocate residents in high-risk areas

By Liezle Basa Inigo

    The Mines and Geosciences Bureau in Region 2 (MGB-2) urged local government units to check their respective comprehensive land use, and disaster risk reduction and management plans.

    The appeal was made by MGB-2 chief geologist Felicitas Piligan after the series of landslides and floods experienced in the Cagayan Valley region due to successive typhoons which hit the country recently.

    Piligan noted several areas in region were assessed and identified as high risk.

    She urged residents or settlers in these areas be immediately relocated.

    Among the high risk areas identified by MGB-2 were those in Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino and Cagayan provinces where deadly landslides occurred.

    Piligan said she was hoping local government units will consider their recommendations to avoid another tragic incidence.

    “One of the reasons for the landslides was the over saturation of the soils caused by the series of heavy downpour,” she said.