THE MINES and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) XI said on Tuesday that it’s assessing two resettlement sites for the victims of the landslide-hit Barangay Masara.
Beverly Brebante, MGB XI OIC-regional director, said the potential sites are Barangay Panibasan and Barangay Calabcab, both in Maco town.
“When we say potential, it is possible to be developed, subject to further assessment,” Brebante said during Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas, July 16.
The sites need to undergo engineering, geological, and geohazard assessments to identify mitigating measures to be put in place.
She disclosed the sites are categorized between low to high susceptibility to flooding and low susceptibility to landslides.
“Hindi po natin maiwasan in Davao region [flooding] as we have vast plains, maraming patag, but it is dissected by several creeks and rivers, so naturally bahain talaga,” Brebante said.
However, the official said the geohazard can be mitigated.
MGB XI reported that 14 out of 28 sites proposed by the local government unit of Maco have potential for the development.
Brebante said the office has to conduct a geological site scoping for a more detailed site development plan. She clarified the LGU is responsible for the land availability of the proposed sites, and MGB comes in for geohazard assessment.
The geo-hazard maps provided by MGB serve as an initial basis for LGU in identifying relocation sites.
To recall, 98 lives were claimed in a landslide in Masara, Maco, Davao de Oro on Feb. 6, 2024. The MGB XI earlier announced that Masara has been identified as a “No Build Zone” since 2008. Despite the declaration, people still occupied the area and built their houses.
Photo: Bing Gonzales
