SIBONGA, Cebu – The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), through the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-7 is now conducting coastal geo-hazard mapping of the region’s 201 priority coastal barangays with particular focus on the impact of rising sea levels due to climate change.

“This coastal geohazard mapping will provide important details or information as to which coastal areas or shorelines are experiencing erosion or are prone to erosion,” said MGB 7 Regional Director Loreto B. Alburo, who informed that such task is being done “to prepare for more responsive risk reduction plans and programs on these areas and other climate change mitigating and adaptation measures.”

The MGB 7 official explained that coastal erosion is a result of a number of geologic, oceanographic and atmospheric factors, including relative sea level rise due to climate change.

However, the rise of sea level can also result from man-made activities, Alburo stressed.

He cited that beach resorts and other infrastructure constructed along coastal areas are the ones that will most likely be affected by erosion due to rise of sea level.

Among the changes in the environment that will be looked into under the project are erosion and accretion or sedimentation of shorelines.