Governor George Arnaiz has instructed the Provincial Disaster Coordinating Council to identify landslide-prone areas in the province and to recommend measures to ensure the safety of the people.

Arnaiz said this move is intended to spare Oriental Negros from the tragedy that hit St. Bernard town, in Southern Leyte, where hundreds died from a mudslide.

Arnaiz met with the PDCC last week and tasked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, National Irrigation Administration and the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau to immediately convene and discuss contingency measures. He also underscored the need to inform the people, especially those along the rivers or hilly portions, to immediately vacate the moment they notice any sign of flashfloods or landslides.

Reports reaching the Capitol yesterday indicated that a landslide took place a few days ago in Siaton town, prompting Arnaiz to request the PDCC to verify it.

About two weeks ago, a landslide occurred in Barangay Ilaya Tayasan town although no was reported injured.

NIA provincial administrator Dexter Patrocinio had earlier suggested that the PDCC should hire geologists to conduct an inspection and determine the kind of soil or rocks the province has.

"If it is pervious, then it is susceptible to landslide," Patrocinio said.*RA

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