DENR 7 Assures Fast Issuance of Geohazard Certifications For New Classrooms

An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has assured the fast issuance of geohazard certifications for the construction of new classrooms.

Al Emil Birador, chief geologist of DENR 7 Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), said their office lacks manpower, but the issuance of geohazard certification still continues.

Birador made the assurance after some city and municipal engineers complained of the slow issuance of geohazard certification, a requirement needed before the construction of government buildings.

Lawyer Gerardo Mahusay, MGB 7 assistant director, said they have been swamped with so many requests for geohazard certification since 2013, mostly from local government units (LGUs) that are constructing new buildings, such as classrooms for public schools.

Birador said the issuance of geohazard certificates is slower as there are only six regular geologists working at the MGB 7.

He said that although lack of manpower is a contributing factor, the lack of requirements from the requesting party also slows down their assessment.

Birador said they often require the requesting party with a detailed map of the area where they would construct.

“If they cannot provide, then our office would have to do it so it would be delayed,” he said. (PNA) SCS/EB/SSC