SORSOGON CITY, Sept. 29 (PIA) – The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) in its bid to enhance the monitoring network of Mt. Bulusan, will be holding a three-day series of seminar-workshops in the direct impact and highly susceptible municipalities to volcanic eruption in Sorsogon.
Phivolcs Director Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. in his communication to PIA Sorsogon Information Center said that their office is currently enhancing the monitoring network of Bulusan Volcano, one of the six most active volcanoes in the country, where new volcano monitoring stations has been set-up and being set-up.
The mission of Phivolcs is to ensure safe communities through establishment of effective monitoring network, development and application of technologies for accurate prediction of volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami occurrences, and other related hazards; mapping and delineation of areas prone to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes; and enhanced capacity for comprehensive disaster preparedness and risk mitigation. The activity is one among the Phivolcs’ strategies to carry out its mission.
Phivolcs slated the seminar-workshop on September 30, October 1 and 2, 2014 for the municipalities of Bulusan, Irosin and Juban. There will be three separate venues for the 3-day activities as follows: Sept. 30 (Tuesday) to be held at the Villa Luisa Celeste Resort, Dancalan, Bulusan, Sorsogon; Oct. 1 (Wednesday) at Lilia's Garden, Irosin, Sorsogon; and Oct. 2 (Thursday) at the Cayetano Hall, Juban, Sorsogon.
Expected participants are the members of the Provincial, Municipal and Barangay Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils/Committees, some members of the media and other stakeholders.
“The seminar-workshop aims to provide information on the hazards and monitoring updates regarding Mt. Bulusan and likewise come up with with an action plan that will promote safety of communities susceptible to volcano hazards,” said Dr. Solidum who will also be present during the activity to give his message.
Highlights of discussion will be the Bulusan Volcano Hazards to be discussed by Ms. Ma. Antonia V. Bornas, Phivolcs Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD) chief; and the Current Status of Mt. Bulusan to be presented by Mr. Eduardo Laguerta, Phivolc supervising specialist and resident volcanologist. A planning workshop to be facilitated by Ms. Ma. Mylene M. Villegas, Geologic Disaster Awareness & Preparedness Division (GDAPD), will also be conducted.
Based on the 2007 Bulusan Volcano Hazard Map, susceptible barangays to Bulusan Volcano hazards are Salvacion, San Bernardo, San Franciso, San Isidro, San Rafael, San Roque and San Jose in Bulusan town; Bacolod, Bagsangan, Bolos, Cogon, Gulang-gulang, Macawayan, Mapaso, Mombon, Patag, San Agustin, San Juan, San pedro, San Julian, Sto. Domingo, Tabon-tabon and Tinampo in Irosin town; and the Barangays of Anog, Bacolod, Aroroy, Bura-buran, Calateo, Catanusan, Puting Sapa, Rangas and Sipaya in the municipality of Juban. (MAL/BAR-PIA5/Sorsogon)