By DEXTER A. SEE
November 5, 2009, 7:07pm [mb.com.ph ]
BAGUIO CITY — The Cordillera office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) here declared this mountain resort city still one of the safest places in the region to live in despite having some critical and high-risk areas.
The MGB-CAR’s declaration was made after fears were raised by some sectors that the city is not safe because of the existence of landslide-prone areas that pose serious threats to life and limb.
Engr. Faye Apil, MG-CAR chief geologist, said the landslide-prone areas in the city are classified as low risk, moderate risk, high risk, and critical, thus, it is unfair to conclude the whole city is unsafe as it is driving away tourists who want to enjoy the city’s cool and romantic weather.
Because of the existence of high-risk and critical areas such as Quirino Hill, Rock Quarry, Holy Ghost, and the steep slopes, Apil said the agency is recommending appropriate mitigating measures for people who want construct structures.
If 90 percent of the city is considered to be landslide-prone, Rigidor M. de Leon, newly installed regional director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in the Cordillera, said then this same percentage should have eroded during the onslaught of typhoon “Pepeng.”
Therefore, it is unfair to give the city a dangerous tag since it is still generally safe to live here provided residents and businessmen will strictly abide by the recommended mitigating measures.
Apil said one of the primary recommendations to those wanting to construct structures is the provision of proper slope protection walls and drainage systems to allow the smooth flow of water downstream.
Out of the city’s land area, only 30 to 40 percent are considered to be critical and high risk while the rest are moderate risk or those who have no risk at all because they are slightly elevated areas as well as flatlands.
Generally, the MGB-CAR official explained the whole region is characterized by steep slopes and highly fractured soil and rock formations which pose a serious threat to life and limb but there are available engineering measures to mitigate the effects of the condition of the soil which had encouraged numerous individuals to put up their houses.
Apil assured the city and most parts of the region are still safe, thus, people wanting to construct their houses should first consult the MGB and building officials based in local governments so that they will be properly guided on what measures to adopt for the safety of their lives.
Contrary to reports that there are active fault lines traversing the city, she explained the four fault lines underneath the city are considered “zones of weakness” which does not have a significant effect to the stability of the soil and rock foundation, although it could serve as a center of energy for earthquakes.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
