What are geohazards?

Geohazards are naturally occurring geological phenomena that pose danger to

peoples lives, properties, infrastructure and communities. These include landslides,
flooding and land subsidence. However, in some cases, geohazards can also be
induced by human activities. Geohazards cannot be totally prevented but their
impact on people and the environment may be lessened or mitigated.

1. Identified the Top 10 provinces highly susceptible to landslides, to wit:

a. Marinduque
b. Rizal
c. Cebu
d. La Union
e. Southern Leyte
f. Benguet
g. Nueva Vizcaya
h. Batangas
i. Mt. Province
j. Romblon
2. Identified the Top 10 provinces highly susceptible to flooding, to wit:
a. Pampanga
b. Nueva Ecija
c. Pangasinan
d. Tarlac
e. Maguindanao
f. Bulacan
g. Metro Manila
h. North Cotabato
i. Oriental Mindoro

j. Ilocos Norte

3. Completed the geohazard assessment and mapping of all the 1,634 cities and
municipalities, with a scale of 1:50,000.

4. Distributed a total of 75,000 map sheets to all local government units down to
the barangay level, with corresponding training and capability-building to interpret
the maps.

5. Started the preparation of more detailed geohazard maps in 2011, with scale of
1:10,000, initially targeting 218 municipalities.
Geohazard mapping

The changing weather pattern has put several areas in the country susceptible to
geological hazards such as floods and landslides. The unpredictable weather and
climate shifting has caused suffering and even death among many Filipinos. One
strategy in disaster management and mitigation is geohazard mapping.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) through the Mines
and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has been implementing the National Geohazard
Mapping and Assessment Program. Geohazard maps covering the entire Philippines
will be completed by 2015.

Based on the program, the objective of geohazard maps is to identify areas in the
country that are most vulnerable or prone to various geologic hazards. Geologic
hazards or geohazards are defined as naturally occurring geological phenomena
that pose danger to peoples lives, livelihood, infrastructure and communities.
These include landslides, flooding and land subsidence. Although there are
numerous geohazards, authorities focused its efforts mainly on landslide and
flooding.

The program seeks to provide information that will aid the governments disaster
planning efforts. It is comprised of three major activities:

a)
Rapid assessment survey. The survey aims to generate geohazard maps that
will indicate areas prone to natural dangers such as landslides, flooding and ground
subsidence;

b)
Printing and reproduction of maps, manuals and information materials. This is
to provide the public with information and materials for public dissemination; and

c)
Conduct of seminars and workshops. It is intended for LGUs and public school
teachers to increase awareness and preparedness as well as teach them on proper
use of the geohazard maps.
http://www.denr.gov.ph/priority-programs/geo-hazard-mapping-and-assessmentprogram.html
http://thepoc.net/index.php/geohazard-mapping-and-mitigating-hazards/