City Council: Landslide-Prone Areas in Baguio City to be Identified for Tree-Planting

To reduce landslide risk in these areas and contribute to the increase of the forest cover of Baguio City, the City Council, on September 21, 2020, has approved the ordinance seeking to identify landslide-prone areas in the city that are feasible for tree-planting.

“Tree-planting programs not only prevent landslides but also increase the city’s forest cover that has been declining for years and contribute to the prevention of climate change.”

– Councilor Arthur Allad-iw, a proponent of the ordinance

A study conducted by the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB), under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Cordillera Administrative Region (DENR-CAR) has revealed that the City of Baguio is characterized as a geo-hazard prone area where earthquakes or rainfall-induced landslides are common occurrences.

Several landslides have resulted in the destruction of lives, properties, and infrastructure projects in the city according to Councilor Allad-iw. Thus, he said that the occurrence of landslide could be prevented by planting appropriate trees of different species in these landslide-prone areas.

Here are some of the following offices involve in the project together with their roles, as stated by the Sangguniang Panlungsod Baguio:

The City Engineering Office (CEO)

• Identify areas susceptible to landslide and feasible for tree-planting with the aid of the geo-hazard maps of the MGB

The City Environment Parks and Management Office (CEPMO)

• Consider the identified areas for tree-planting activities
• Ensure “tree species availability”
• Ensure the survival of the tree species planted in the areas
• May recommend plans to ensure the area is ready and suitable for tree-planting

The City Planning and Development Office (CPDO)

• Work towards the retention of these identified landslide-prone areas as public lands owned by the city

The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO)

• Coordinate with the aforementioned offices for the formulation of landslide mitigation measures or programs

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Source: Sangguniang Panlungsod Baguio