DENR recommends relocation of 2 villages in Leyte

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) on Tuesday recommended the relocation of residents of two barangays (viliages) in St. Bernard, Southern Leyte to safer grounds. The DENR-MGB said the move is necessary to avoid a repeat of the landslide that buried barangay Guinsaugon in thick mud, killing hundreds of residents. MGB geologists made the recommendation to Southern Leyte Governor Rosette Lerias and St. Bernard Mayor Maria Lim in a meeting of the Municipal Disaster Coordinating Council. The agency recommends for relocation residents of barangays Magatas and Sug-angon. The villages share a common border west side section of Barangay Guinsaugon. Based on the 2000 census, Magatas and Sug-angon have at least 69 and 58 families, respectively. DENR Secretary Angelo Reyes has ordered MGB geologists to investigate and assess the landslide area in St. Bernard and the identification of relocation sites. -GMANews.TV