Mt. Arayat National Park critical - MGB

CITY OF SAN FERNANSDO - The  Bureau of Mines and Geosciences (MGB) of the  Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) yesterday reiterated that Mt. Arayat National Park remained critical and landslide may occur anytime with heavy downpour of rains.

Engr. Noel Lacadin, MGB chief geologist made this assessment in a meeting with the provincial leaders and municipal mayors among other officials held at the executive house of the provincial government.

He explained that huge volume of sediments such as pyroclastic materials, lahar, lava are found on top of the mountain which could probably trigger another landslide during the rainy season.

"Bulkan kasi yan kaya may naiipong pyroclastic materials na pweding dumausdos kapag malakas ang ulan," the chief geologist stated.

This situation according to him could compromise of the residents living at the foot of the mountain which was previously classified as danger zone.

With this, Lacadin   asked the local officials to discourage residents from establishing communities in the said area to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incident in the future. 

It can be noted that  in September 26, 2009 landslide occurred which claimed the lives of twelve residents  in Barangay San Juan Bano in Arayat town.

The area was wiped out by strong mud flow and huge stones are coming down from the mountain

Meanwhile, Lacadin clarified that the  Bureau is only engaged in data gathering in order to provide right direction to attached agencies of the government tasked to formulate safety measures and other disaster plan.

He also noted that EMB is not authorized to declare a particular area as a danger zone or within the danger zone because the same is under the authority of the concerned local government unit.