CEBU, Philippines — The Region 7 office of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB-7) has issued warnings anew about the possibility of landslides and flooding after an active low pressure area (LPA) was spotted approaching the country.

The MGB-7 warning is based on a rapid geohazard assessment done by a team of geologists in 2009 which indicated that areas in nearly 80 Cebu barangays are highly susceptible to landslides and flooding.

In Cebu City alone, 20 barangays were identified as highly susceptible to landslides, that is, Lusaran, Binaliw, Guba, Budlaan, Malubog, Buot-Taup, Busay, Sirao, Pulangbato,Taptap, Tagbao, Tabunan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin, Buhisan, Pamutan, Sapangdaku, and Adlaon.

Barangays Tagjaguimit, Alpaco, Balirong, Mayana, Naalad, and Cogon in Naga City are also rated highly landslide-susceptibile.

In addition, 11 barangays in Balamban- Hingatmonan, Lamesa, Luca, Ginatilan, Cabasiangan, Matun-og, Cansomoroy, Gaas, Magsaysay, Cabagdalan, and Duangan; five in Toledo City - Tungkay, Pangamihan, Bagacay, Loay and Don Andres Soriano; and Lamac in Pinamungahan are also indicated susceptible to landslides.

Also having the same vulnerability are Barangays Agbanga, Baye, Bairan, Kanluangan and Sak-sak in Asturias; Barangays Amancion, Anapog, Bactas, Bongyas, Ambangkaya, Cabungaan, Can-ibuang, Duyan, Ginabucan, Panalipan, Tabili and Tinabyonan in Catmon, and all mountain barangays in Talisay City.

Likewise in the same critical areas list are Barangays Doldol and Purok 3 in Dumanjug and Cansalonoy and Vive in Ronda.

Meanwhile, the aforesaid assessment reveals that five barangays in Cebu City, namely Kasambagan, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Mabolo, and Bonbon and seven barangays in Mandaue — Subangdaku, Mantuyong, Umapad, Opao, Alang-alang, Guizo, and Pakna-an, are seen as most hazardously vulnerable to flooding.

MGB7 officials reiterated their advise to local officials to make use of geohazard maps and the findings and recommendations of the said geologist team, implementing the necessary measures to reduce the impact of landslides and flooding within their areas of responsibility.

Areas which have been declared as “highly susceptible” to flooding and landslides by the MGB should be carefully monitored by local government officials.