Geo-hazard in Baguio,cordillera

**spearhead_970** · February 26th, 2006 01:53 AM

Saturday, February 25, 2006
Geo-hazard areas in Baguio, Cordi bared

THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) has revealed an updated list of areas in the region that are prone to geo-hazards.

MGB Regional Director Neoman dela Cruz said Cordillera is prone to four major environmental risks such as flooding, ground subsidence, landslides and earthquakes.

Flood-prone areas include Barangays Pagala, Bangbangkag, Labon and San Miguel in Bucay, Abra; Kabaroan, Balong, Poblacion West, Sukbot and Laya in Tabuk, Kalinga; City Camp Lagoon in Baguio City; the Balili River and its tributaries traversing parts of Baguio and La Trinidad, Benguet, as well as portions of the La Trinidad Valley like Betag, Pico, Puguis and Buyagan.

Areas prone to sinkholes and flooding are parts of Dontogan, Lourdes, Dominican and Crystal Cave, all in Baguio. Limestone forms at the base of these places, which could create cavities that may loosen rocks during continuous rainfall and might cause landslides.

Flooding also occur in low-laying areas crisscrossed by major rivers in the region, like that of Agno, Chico, Abra, Abulug and Amburayan.

Dela Cruz said there are also areas that are susceptible to ground subsidence or the gradual sinking of the soil.

Records from the Geosciences Development Division (GDD) showed that one major factor in the subsidence of specific areas in Baguio and Cordillera is the underground streams in limestone areas which, aside from Crystal Cave, Dominican and Lourdes, also include Sagada in Mountain Province, Abra, Ifugao and some parts of La Trinidad.

Other areas in Baguio that are prone to ground subsidence are Irisan, Mines View, Victoria Village and Quezon Hill. In Benguet, the sitios of Bua, Tuding, Itogon, Tabbak, Baculongan Sur, Buguias, Central Mankayan and Kibungan Road.

Dela Cruz said another geo-hazard that usually occurs in some parts of the Cordillera region is mass movement or landslide. Areas prone to landslide include those with steep topography that have highly fragmented and fractured structure.

Areas in Baguio where landslides mostly occur are Kennon Road, Pinsao, Dominican, Mirador area, Purok 3, Central Fairview, Magsaysay Avenue, Old Lucban, Lucnab, Monticello Lexber Boundary, Pacdal and Cabinet Hill.

In Benguet, landslides could happen along Man-asaoc Road, Baculongan Sur, Buguias, Colalo, Mankayan, Camp 6, 7, and 8, Tuba, Purok 7, San Luis Extension, Asin, sitio Loacan in Itogon, Km. 35, Poblacion in Mankayan, sitio Batbato and Barangay Cabitin, also of Mankayan, Antamok and Itogon.

Other areas vulnerable to landslides include Shamolog Creek in Pico, La Trinidad; Tuyangan in Kabugao, Apayao; Camp 1 in Tuba, Benguet; Besao West in Mountain Province; sitio Kimatan Poblacion in Lubuagan, Kalinga; and Danglas in Abra.

The MGB added that earthquake is one of the natural occurrences that can trigger ground movement, which can cause damage to properties and even loss of lives. The GDD identified some faults in the Cordillera region, which could be generators of earthquake within the region. These include the fault lines along Digdig, San Manuel, Tebbo, Tuba, Bangui and the Abra River. Tuba and Tebbo fault are said to be seismic generators.

Dela Cruz said the MGB is also targeting additional areas where geo-hazard mapping could be done.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo earlier ordered the release of P80 million to finance geo-hazard mapping nationwide following the tragedy in Southern Leyte.