The Philippine government is about to complete a geohazard mapping project that will identify safety threats around the Zamboanga Peninsula.

The five-year project was undertaken by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), beginning in 2005, according to Emma Deverala, the agency's information officer.

"So far, we have assessed almost 87 per cent of the region,” she said.

“Our Geahazard Assessment Team, headed by Geosciences chief Vheina Marie P. Quintana, is likely to complete the mapping of the remaining municipalities and cities like the Triple S-B or the municipalities of Siocon, Sirawai, Sibuco, Baliguian in Zamboanga del Norte, Isabela City in Basilan, and their last stop, Zamboanga City, within the year, hopefully by November.”

The bureau is yet to release the report for every province, but Deverala said that the entire peninsula is prone to hazards like landslides.

The MGB is also conducting information and education campaigns throughout the region to inform people of the risk in their area and what to do to ensure their safety.

According to Deverala, once the programme is complete, the bureau will produce geohazard maps identifying the type of hazard a particular area is prone to.

The map will also contain information on locations of Barangay centres and important landmarks. The maps can also be used by the government, urban and rural development planners, stakeholders and communities as a blue print for their disaster risk management plans or programmes.