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The Mines and Geosciences
Bureau in Bicol (MGB-V) recently conducted 3 separate seminars
on Geologic Hazards and Disaster Preparedness in the City of
Sorsogon and in the Municipalities of Gubat and Casiguran, all
in the Province of Sorsogon.
In Sorsogon City, the seminar
was conducted on August 29 at Vicenta Hall of the Fernando’s
Hotel in Barangay Bitano; at the Founder’s Hall of Gubat St.
Anthony Credit Cooperative Building in Gubat, Sorsogon on August
30, 2007; and at the Rectory Hall of the Holy Rosary Parish
Church in Casiguran, Sorsogon on August 31,2007.
A total of 294
residents/participants mostly Barangay Chairmen and Councilmen;
officials of concerned Local Government Units of Sorsogon, Gubat
and Casiguran and Provincial/Municipal offices of the National
Government benefited from the seminar.
Topics discussed at the
separate seminars are uniform, which includes, among others:
introduction to geologic hazards and their effects; assessment
of geologic hazards in the City of Sorsogon, Municipalities of
Gubat and Casiguran; workshop on reading and making use of
geohazards maps; introduction on the Philippine Disaster
Management System; and workshop on Damage and Needs assessment.
The first 3 topics were
discussed by Arlene E. Dayao and Mark Rint, OIC of Geology
Division and Senior Geologist respectively of MGB-V and the last
2 by Engr. Alvin Magdaong of the Office of Civil Defense. Topics
on monitoring of Bulusan Volcano and on Volcanology were added
in the Casiguran Seminar with volcanologists from PHIVOLCS Ed
Laguerta and Bella Tubianosa acting as the resource speakers.
The reading and making use of
the geological maps and the preparation of Damage Report after
the occurrence of a disaster highlighted the seminar. The former
topic, which includes Map on Ground Subsidence and Ground
Settlement; Flood Hazard; Landslide Susceptibility; and
Liquefaction, enable the participants to read and interpret maps
and will serve as a guide in formulating their local disaster
plan, i.e., evacuation, etc. and even in buying a lot. The
latter topic enables also the participants to properly prepare
their reporting scheme after the occurrence of a disaster
thereby giving the local and national officials of the
government accurate idea of the extent of the damage to lives
and properties in their localities. These local and national
officials can determine the kind and type of assistance or aid
to send in the affected community/ies. In addition, without such
report confusion may result such that a certain community may
receive so much assistance or aid while another community may
not receive anything at all.
In addition, the participants
were able to familiarize themselves with the hazards prevailing
in their respective communities; the damages hazard brings along
in their locality; the degree of preparedness the residents are
expected to do in case of calamities; how to prepare in case of
calamities and the reporting on the profile, effects, needs of
assessment and initial response when disaster occurs. |
