Pia on killer landslides: "What's the use of geohazard mapping if we can't implement it?"

Many lives could have been saved if the residents of Barangay Masara, Maco, Compostela Valley, which was hit by two massive landslides last weekend, were evacuated early on in accordance with the recommendations of government's own technical experts almost two years ago.

The impact of the landslides could have also been mitigated if the villagers were adequately informed and prepared to respond in the event of such calamity.

This was the assessment of Senator Pia S. Cayetano, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, in the aftermath of the landslides that struck the remote mining village, leaving at least 14 people killed, 16 missing and many others injured as of the latest count.

"What's the use of geohazard mapping if it can't be implemented? Barangay Masara had been identified as a high-risk area as far back as late-2006 under the government's own geohazard mapping program. Our source from the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) said the agency even recommended the evacuation of its residents, including those from neighboring villages similarly at risk," she said.

"I don't want to start the blame-game. But it's hard to dismiss the thought that this tragedy could have been avoided, or its impact substantially mitigated, if safety precautions were undertaken as soon as the village was identified a high risk zone more than a year ago."

"I commiserate with the families of the victims and join the appeal to pour in aid for affected communities. But even as rescue and relief operations are in full swing, I hope the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the local government units concerned could jointly map out plans to immediately relocate villagers from other identified landslide-prone areas, before it's too late again."

Finally, Cayetano said the DENR should investigate how mining activities in the area might have contributed to the loosening of hillside rocks and soil that gave way and buried some 72 houses in the village.

"Instead of rushing to the defense of mining operations, the DENR should investigate the possible link between mining and the series of reported landslides in the area. It should also allow independent experts to evaluate environmental and health risks around the mining sites."

"Mining, by nature, is a highly destructive activity, and therefore requires strict regulation and monitoring by the government," she concluded.