Online Philippine Geohazard Map Now Available

Due to sequential landslides and floods due to heavy rains, Malacañang advises prospective real estate property buyers to first check the Geohazard Map which is available on the website of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB).

The geohazard map basically shows the level of susceptibility of certain barangays to landslides and floods.

"If you are looking to buy land or you are looking to build a house in a particular area, we strongly suggest that you go the MGB website… para i-check niyo po kung 'yung prospective na bibilhin ninyo or 'yung tatayuan ninyo ng bahay ay flood- or landslide-prone," said Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte.

"Ano po 'yung concentration natin? Landslide-prone and flood-prone areas. Sa eastern seaboard po ito and some parts that begins from Isabela to Surigao and some parts of Agusan and also some parts of Central Luzon," Valte said.

"Baka po tanungin ninyo kung bakit merong mga area na nauna, ito po kasi 'yung more susceptible to landslides and floods. So 'yung for next year po, 'yung 500 municipalities, ang category po nila is that they are moderately susceptible to landslides and to floods-specifically parts of Mindanao and Visayas. Ang target po nila for completion of the mapping of the 1,600 municipalities would be 2015. But, as they finish it, na-a-upload na po 'yon," Valte added.

According to Valte, the DENR has distributed the geohazard maps to 42,000 barangays. The Palace now expects LGUs to warn residents about the danger zones and to ensure that these are uninhabited.

Currently the geohazard map has 285 municipalities and 285 more are going to be included this year then 500 more by next year. DENR is targeting to map out 1,600 municipalities.