The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) on Thursday flagged 4,182 barangays across the Philippines as highly susceptible to landslides and flooding, citing the combined threats of a low pressure area (LPA) and the intensifying southwest monsoon (habagat).
According to the agency, the at-risk areas include 412 barangays in densely populated Metro Manila, with the remaining 3,770 spanning Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, the Cordillera Administrative Region, and the Ilocos Region — territories that frequently bear the brunt of typhoons and seasonal rains.
The MGB has urged local government units (LGUs) to stay vigilant and monitor real-time conditions. Residents and officials alike are encouraged to use the government’s HazardHunterPH platform to access updated hazard maps and risk assessments.
While the latest advisory did not detail the specific vulnerabilities of each location, past MGB bulletins have consistently emphasized the importance of preemptive evacuation protocols and ensuring the structural safety of evacuation centers. The agency also warned of possible rapid rise in floodwaters, particularly in low-lying communities and those near rivers or dams.
This advisory underscores the critical role of disaster preparedness and land-use policy in climate-vulnerable regions of the Philippines. Policymakers and LGUs are once again reminded of the need for proactive risk reduction measures, especially as extreme weather patterns become more frequent under a changing climate.
