CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – The Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) 10 (Northern Mindanao) on Friday urged land developers and local government units (LGUs) to abide by agency recommendations to avoid disasters in the future.
MGB-10 Chief Geologist Osin Sinsuat Jr. said while the agency does not have the power to enforce geohazard identification reports, many lives can be saved from possible environmental hazards, such as landslides, mudflows, or sinkholes, if developers and LGUs comply.
“As we always tell them (LGUs and land developers), we always stick to our findings,” Sinsuat said in an interview with reporters, noting that MGB assessments are scientific and non-negotiable.
An MGB report is one of the requirements of the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development's technical working group before land developers are given a license to operate in converting applied lands to housing subdivisions.
The LGUs also require the environmental compliance certificates issued by the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) before approving housing developments.
Both the MGB and EMB are under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
Sinsuat said there are instances when some contractors do not follow the recommendations, especially when developers get the permits. (PNA)
