Ilocos sur: The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) has identified 205 villages in Ilocos Sur that are likely to be affected by flooding and landslides during periods of inclement weather. “Please be alert and help monitor your areas for possible landslides, floods or mudflows,” the MGB said in a statement on Thursday, as light to moderate to at times heavy rains continue to prevail in the province.
According to Philippines News Agency, the MGB, which operates under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), stated that recent weather disturbances have saturated the soil, making it particularly prone to landslides, especially in sloped or hillside areas. Laurence Mina, head of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council and regional director of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), emphasized the importance of vigilance, stating that local disaster response units have been instructed to remain alert and be prepared to enforce mandatory evacuations if necessary.
Mina expressed hope that the ongoing rains would not lead to additional flooding but stressed the need for continued vigilance due to saturated soil conditions. He mentioned ongoing coordination with relevant authorities to utilize air assets for reaching isolated residents in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur, ensuring their safety and delivering essential supplies such as food packs and generator sets.
According to the latest data from the OCD, as of Thursday, a total of 4,436 families or 17,000 individuals in the entire region are still in evacuation centers. Most of these evacuees hail from the low-lying areas of Pangasinan, La Union, and the southern portion of Ilocos Sur. Additionally, about 2,400 families or 24,000 individuals are receiving government aid and are temporarily sheltered elsewhere.
In an earlier interview, Ivy May Graycochea, a geologist from MGB Ilocos Region’s Geosciences Division, advised local government units (LGUs) to ensure that evacuees do not return to landslide-prone areas without official clearance from authorities. She highlighted the necessity of removing obstructions from river channels, where possible, to ensure the free flow of water and prevent flooding in low-lying communities.
