Monday, May 19, 2008 Mati barangay sits on active RP fault's edge By Carlo P. Mallo
A BARANGAY in the coastal city of Mati in Davao Oriental sits on dangerous ground, as reported by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB)-Southern Mindanao.
The assessment was based on the first phase of the bureau's geohazard mapping.
In an interview last Friday, Ed Arreza, MGB Southern Mindanao director, said the presence of the end point of the Philippine fault in Mamali, Mati City, poses a great risk in the city.
"It is very active, and the area is very unstable," Arreza said.
Based on the preliminary findings of MGB Southern Mindanao, sliding of rocks in the area is already visible. The area has been categorized as an "eminent area" and will be subject to a more detailed geohazard mapping by the bureau.
Moreover, Arreza said that the residents of Mamali have sought the assistance of MGB Southern Mindanao to find mitigating measures that will avert or at least minimize the damage in case disaster strikes.
"The barangay has asked us to set up plans or mitigating measures, we will be meeting with them next week," Arreza said.
Arreza added that MGB will now enter the second phase of the geohazard mapping of the entire region.
Other than the city of Mati, MGB Southern Mindanao is also looking at the municipalities of Don Marcelino and Bansalan, both in Davao del Sur as geohazard prone areas. (CPM)
