Denr-Emb Identifies Over 200 ‘Flood-Prone’ Brgys in Cebu

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Environmental Management Bureau (DENR-EMB) 7 identified at least 200 barangays in Cebu as vulnerable to flooding and landslide.

Over 200 barangays in four cities and five municipalities in Cebu Province have been completely assessed by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geo-sciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) 7 for its vulnerability to landslides and flooding.

DENR 7 Regional Director Isabelo Montejo said they used the new geo-hazard mapping of 1:10,000 scale on the 221 barangays during the assessment.

During this series of assessments, the EMB7 found out that 35 barangays in Cebu’s four cities and five towns are highly vulnerable to landslides or flooding.

The four cities assessed were Cebu City, Talisay City, Toledo City and the City of Naga; while the five towns were Catmon, Pinamungahan, Asturias, Ronda and Dumanjug.

In Cebu City, 19 barangays were in EMB’s list and these include Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Taptap, Tagbao, Tabunan, Pung-ol, Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan, Sapangdaku and Adlaon.

City of Naga’s six barangays were also considered as highly susceptible to landslides. These are Tagjaguimit, Alpaco, Balirong, Mayana, Naalad and Cogon. Toledo City’s Tungkay, Pangamihan, Bagacay, Loay & Don Andres Soriano are also in the same list, like all of Talisay City’s mountain barangays.

DENR7 also listed five Cebu City barangays as flood-prone, namely Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo and Bonbon.

In Mandaue City, the department found out that seven barangays in the area are vulnerable to flooding during heavy rains. These are Subangdaku, Mantuyong, Umapad, Opao, Alang-alang, Guizo and Pakna-an.

The 1:10,000 scale geo-hazard mapping will show more details of the area covered by the map which may include the specific physical characteristics or environment of each sitio or “purok” in a barangay.

“Our color-coded maps would serve as appropriate warnings for our barangay officials to initiate necessary measures to reduce possible impacts or effects of landslides and flooding,” explained Montejo.