Intensive IEC in Batanes Province held

In the effort of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau Regional Office No. II (MGB R0II) to provide vital information in order to mitigate the impacts of geologic hazards, the bureau initiated     an intensive Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign on its Geohazard Assessment Program in Batanes Province.

The said IEC through its Geosciences Division capacitated the residents of Batanes about the National Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program of the Bureau with the primordial objective to identify areas in the country that are susceptible to geologic hazards.

The Geohazard Program comprises of major activities such as survey of areas that are prone to natural hazards, printing and reproduction of maps and other information materials for dissemination, and conduct of IEC for proper awareness.

The bureau has already completed the 1:50,000 mapping scale in the year 2010 and 1:10,000 scale in 2014 where 93 cities/ municipalities and 2,311 barangays were assessed.

For 2015 onwards, MGB R0II has been conducting intensive IEC region-wide with the primary objective to increase awareness and preparedness of communities on geologic hazards.

“ We cannot prevent disasters, we can only lessen its impact on people and in our communities,” Jose de los Santos Jr., Senior Science Research Specialist.

Barangay officials from Basco, Itbayat, Ivana, Mahatao, Sabtang and Uyugan attended the said IEC where the MGB team discussed about rain-induced landslide hazard, flood hazard and hazard in Karst Areas.

“We can only lessen its impact that pose danger in our lives and properties through proper awareness that these types of disasters,” the Senior Science Research Specialist added.

Geohazard maps and posters were also disseminated per barangay after the lecture.

The maps will serve as their guides in their community-based disaster preparedness plans, in updating of the Comprehensive Land Use Plans and in their development plans needed for mitigating measures on the impact of geohazards in their community. #LRB