Preventing the occurrence of another Guinsaugon landslide

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
August 10, 2012

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The municipality of Saint Bernard in the Province of Southern Leyte in Eastern Visayas is no longer a stranger to climate change-induced disasters such as flooding and landslide that are currently being experienced in Luzon Island.

It gained international attention in 2006 when one entire barangay perished in the Guinsaugon Mudslide tragedy. This prompted the government to conduct a rapid geohazard assessment of all the areas in the country, starting in Southern Leyte.

It was then found out that more than half of Saint Bernard’s 30 barangays are at risk or vulnerable to at least five natural hazards.

Its Local Government Unit, led by Mayor Rico C. Rentuza, has since the 2006 landslide tragedy, made great strides to become an exemplary model LGU for disaster coordination and management.

As part of this effort, the LGU of Saint Bernard is set to conduct blessing of Daycare cum Evacuation Centers and turnover ceremony of a Landslide Early Warning System, established and provided with support from the German International Cooperation or GIZ on August 13, 2012.

The Program starts at 9:00 o’clock in the morning in Barangay Nueva Esperanza; at 10:30 in the morning at Barangay New Guinsaugon and at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon at Barangay Mahayag, all of Saint Bernard in Southern Leyte.

Dr. Walter Salzer, Program Director and Principal Advisor of Environment and Rural Development Program-GIZ, informed that the dual-purpose facilities funded by GIZ can serve as emergency shelter for the 644 households in the 3 barangays. As daycare centers, they follow DSWD standards and can accommodate the 45 preschoolers listed.

Included in the day’s program is a test-run of the actual landslide sensors placed at Barangay Lipanto. Guests will have the opportunity to witness how it is operated at the Disaster Risk Management Operation Center by way of radio, and observe the tilt and acceleration data coming in from the said barangay, Dr. Salzer said.

Dr. Salzer disclosed that the landslide warning system in Saint Bernard is among the first of its kind to be established in the Philippines.

Moreover, a Simulation Drill/Test of the community public address system in Barangay Lipanto broadcasting a test 'warning' to residents, will be also be conducted. The system, Dr. Salzer explained, is part of a communications network set up with GIZ support in seven (7) coastal barangays to warn the constituents of impending tsunamis. Since then, LGU Saint Bernard has replicated the system in three other barangays, also for landslide alerts.

Since 2008, GIZ, in cooperation with LGU Saint Bernard, has successfully operated a Flood Early Warning System now integrated with landslide and tsunami warnings. These early warning systems have reduced the risk of casualties due to the extreme exposure of the municipality to these hazards.