DILG asks Region 8 authorities to watch for floods, landslides

TACLOBAN CITY, Jan.  02  -- The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has called on local government units to be vigilant against flooding and landslide as Tropical Depression “Agaton” dumped heavy rains in Eastern Visayas region in the first two days of the year.

In a statement issued Tuesday, DILG Regional Director Marivel Sacendoncillo said provinces, cities, towns and villages should undertake measures to protect residents from possible dangers brought about by the expected moderate to heavy rains.

Data released by the DILG Center for Disaster Information and Coordination from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau revealed that 125 villages in the region have very high susceptibility to landslides.

“These are unstable areas, significant areas of which are affected by mass movement. Human initiated effects are usually high,” Sacendoncillo said.

Another 1,075 villages are tagged highly susceptible to landslides. These are defined as unstable areas, highly prone to mass movement. About 220 villages in the region that are along a landslide path are susceptible to debris flow.

On the other hand, 2,433 villages in Region 8 have been categorized as highly to very highly prone to flooding.

“We urged local government to conduct appropriate preparedness and disaster risk reduction measures as needed; ensure preemptive or forced evacuation in the possible affected areas,” the official added.

The state weather bureau on Tuesday issued a flood warning over Eastern Visayas due to heavy rains caused by the weather disturbance.

In its flood advisory, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration has identified several rivers in five provinces that would likely be affected by the downpour.

These water courses are Sangputan, Palo, Solano, Daguitan, Marabong, Cadacan, Bongquirogon, Salug, Pagbanagaran, Pagsangahan, and Binahaan in Leyte; Catarman, Bugko, Pambujan, Catubig, Palapag, Mano, and Gamay in Northern Samar.

Other affected rivers are Oras, Dolores, Ulot, Taft, Borongan, Suribao, Llorento, Balangiga, and Sulat in Eastern Samar; Basey, Silaga, Calbiga and Jibatan in Samar; and Bisay, Himbangan, and Pandan in Southern Leyte. (SQM/PNA)