LEGAZPI CITY, Aug 28 (PIA) – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office V recently conducted an orientation and dialogue on Geohazard Mapping and Assessment Program with the officials of the municipal government of Nabua Camarines Sur at the Sanggunian Bayan session hall.
MGB Bicol officer-in-charge Engr. Guillermo A. Molina Jr. IV said the SB special session is in line with the on-going priority program of the agency on intensive information and education campaign along with its mandated role in the promotion of responsible mining and community awareness and preparedness in the region.
Technical personnel from Mine Management and Geosciences division of MGB V likewise tackled geohazard concerns and issues, quarry operations and composition and role of the Provincial Mining Regulatory Board.
The PMRB is tasked to declare and segregate existing gold-rush areas and small-scale mining, award contracts to small-scale miners, settle disputes, conflicts or litigations over conflicting claims.
It shall likewise accept, process and evaluate applications and determine administrative charges and fees for quarry, sand and gravel, guano, gemstone gathering and small-scale mining permits.
The MGB has earlier identified 40 municipalities in Bicol that are susceptible to natural disasters with the provinces of Camarines Sur and Catanduanes being on top of the lists.
Based on the geo-hazard mapping conducted by the MGB, almost half of Camarines Sur’s municipalities are classified as high risk areas for flooding, which include the towns of Baao, Bato, Bombon, Buhi, Bula, Cabusao, Calabanga, Camaligan, Canaman, Gainza, Libmanan, Magarao, Milaor, Minalabac, Nabua and San Fernando which are mostly part of the Bicol River Basin.
Catanduanes has been identified as the most landslide-prone province in the region due to rock formations that are already old and cracked and many of its mountains covered with thick soil which erode during heavy rains.(MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)