Amid the high elevation, settlements within the Cordillera region (Baguio City in addition to the towns of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay [BLISTT]) remain at risk for landslides, leading to potential harm among the inhabitants.
Looking to mitigate the possible human cost that comes with rain-induced landslides, three universities in Cordillera alongside the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) are looking to study the creation of a system aimed at detecting the early onset of landslides.
All situated in the city of Baguio, the three universities included the University of Baguio, the University of Cordilleras, as well as the University of the Philippines-Baguio.
In a statement delivered during a press conference, Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) Director Dr. Nancy Bantog named the research as Modelling and Understanding Landslide Events (MULAT)-BLISTT, which is said to be worth P38.7 million. Importantly, she described the development of the system as one to establish a database, inventory map, susceptibility maps, and risk maps around landslides as well as the cataloging of extreme rainfall, which is then localized for use by households.
Complementing the developing system is also a landslide knowledge and management center, worth Php5.5 million, aimed at the creation of information materials on landslide science, management, mitigation, the expansion of knowledge and awareness to stakeholders on the harms involved in landslides, as well as the appropriate responses should the issue arise.
While originally intended to cover the entire Cordillera region, the budget constraint has pushed the project for a more limited scope.
Source: PNA