EDMERO Field Geologist: Almost half of CamSur classified as risk areas

By Ana-liza Macatangay

PILI, Camarines Sur (PIA) --- Flooding threatens approximately 128,000 hectares of land in the province, putting 906,000 residents out of a total population of 2,068,244 at risk.

Almost half of Camarines Sur’s municipalities are classified as high-risk areas for flooding. These include 16 municipalities within the Bicol River floodplains. 539 out of 882 barangays in the province are classified as having "very high flood susceptibility." "The population at risk includes 152,037 residents, including 12,351 IPs and 5,103 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)," Environment, Disaster Management, and Emergency Response Office (EDMERO) Chria Ian Pan said.

Included in the "very high flood susceptibility" are Cabusao, Del Gallego, Lupi, Ragay, and Sipocot, all in District 1; LGUs Gainza, Libmanan, Milaor, Minalabac, Pamplona, Pasacao, and San Fernando in District 2; Bombon, Calabanga, Camaligan, Canaman, Magarao, Ocampo, and Pili in District 3.

Ten (10) municipalities in District 4, mostly classified as coastal areas, include Caramoan, Garchitorena, Goa, Lagonoy, Presentacion, Sagñay, San Jose, Siruma, Tigaon, and Tinambac. In District 5, the municipalities of Baao, Balatan, Bato, Buhi, Bula, Nabua, and the City of Iriga are also vulnerable to the same risk.