TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte — The Office of the Civil Defense (OCD) in Region 8 said it is closely monitoring 39 areas in Eastern Samar and 31 areas in the province of Leyte after these were found to be landslide-prone areas.

OCD Regional Director Angel Gaviola said 39 areas in Eastern Samar, including Abuyog and Catbalogan, are considered landslide prone. He issued an urgent warning to residents of these areas of the probability of danger particularly during the rainy season.

In Leyte, 31 of the 41 towns in the province are seen as landslide-prone areas, including the mountain areas of Maasin City, Ormoc City, Isabel, and Sogod among other areas in Southern Leyte.

The province of Southern Leyte is where Barangay Guinsaugon, St. Bernard town is located. In 2006, a devastating landslide sent a wall of mud and boulders tumbling down the mountain at terrifying speed, burying Guinsaugon in its entirety and killing more than 1,800 people.

Meanwhile, the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (RDRRMC) and the Regional Disaster Coordinating Council (RDCC) revealed that they are in dire need of equipment and materials badly needed to effectively respond to major calamitous incidents in Region 8.

RDCC 8 Chair and Regional Police Office Chief Rey Lañada said the Council has enough manpower to provide assistance during calamities but lacks enough equipment for use in rescue operations.

OCD Regional Director Gaviola joined Lañada in calling for more equipment, stressing that his office only has two rubber boats that can be used to rescue people when floods strike.