DAVAO CITY, Philippines (PNA) – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) of the Region 11 office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-11) recently identified landslide-prone areas in two villages of Marilog district in this city.

Beverly Mae M. Brebante, MGB Regional Geosciences Division senior science research specialist, said that based on the results of detailed-geohazard mapping conducted last month at 19 sitios in the villages of Marilog and Magsaysay, 14 are considered highly to very highly susceptible to landslide.

Based on an ocular inspection, Brebante said they have observed several infrastructure, as well as communities in some identified landslide-prone areas as dangerous for people building their houses.

She said these areas and their corresponding conditions in Barangay Marilog are Marahan east (high to very high), Maligaya (very high), Upper Kibalang (very high), Panipasan (high to very high), Malikongkong (very high), Maluan (very high), Balite (moderate to high to very high), Pamuhatan (high to very high), Ilian (very high), Namnam (very high), Quimasog (very high), and Marilog proper (high).

Another two sitios of Barangay Magsaysay – Lanao and Panas – are also classified as highly susceptible to landslide.

She said areas that are highly susceptible to landslide are those usually with steep to very steep slopes and are supported by weak materials. These areas also have history of old and inactive landslides.

On the other hand, local government units (LGUs) and village officials are ordered to continue monitoring the areas identified as highly susceptible to landslide and even those identified as non-risky areas since landslide susceptibility in these areas may advance depending on various factors.