Hamtic village susceptible to flood, landslide

SAN JOSE, Antique – A team from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)- Antique recently conducted an assessment on the reported landslide in Brgy. Pamandayan, Hamtic, Antique to evaluate the degree of disaster vulnerability of the area.

After the assessment, the team led by PENR Officer Andres T. Untal with Geologist II Shimpei A. Francisco and Science Research Specialist II Eliaflor B. Bulawin of the Mines and Geosciences (MGB) Regional Office-6, found out that the area in Barangay Pamandayan was classified to be Very High Landslide and Flood Susceptibility Rating.

Untal coordinated with the Barangay and Municipal Officials and informed them of the result to the assessment for their coordinated intervention.

The evaluation team emphasized that the areas with high to very high landslide susceptibility rating do not allow any dwelling or establishment of households, thus, evacuation of families living in the area is highly recommended.

The place is not also suitable for commercial, industrial, residential (subdivisions), and institutional developments. Evacuation centers should not be established in the zone.

The team also recommended that the landslide warning signage should be installed in the zone.

Critical facilities such as power lines and roads maybe be allowed provided that appropriate engineering intervention measures are implemented with continuous monitoring.

Since the area is also rated with very high flood susceptibility rating, during impending flood events, all people except disaster response personnel, should not be in this zone.

The floodplains are recommended to be used as retention basins to accommodate swelling of rivers.

For the establishments of flood mitigating structures, DENR recommended to the LGU to seek the technical expertise of the Department of Public Works and Highways. (DENR/PIA)