A government geologist has urged Negros Oriental officials to organize disaster coordinating councils in all government units to be able to respond immediately to natural calamities or any eventuality.

Editha Amiscaray, supervising science research specialist of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau , assigned at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office in Dumaguete City , issued the call after her findings showed a 250-meter fault and some minor land cracks in Sitio Tuko, Barangay Trinidad , Guihulngan, a town 117 kilometers north of Dumaguete, last week.

She said the fault has partially destroyed two of the 32 houses in the area. She said she is still finalizing her findings and cannot give a categorical explanation for the fissure.

She also said that she is going to Canlaon City , this week, to look into the reported big crack in the land there.   

Earlier, Amiscaray said that at least two towns in Negros Oriental will be in danger of massive flooding if there is sustained heavy rain that may cause the rise of the water of Balinsasayao Twin Lakes , one of the tourist attractions in the province.  The twin lakes straddle the mountains of Sibulan , Valencia , San Jose and Amlan towns.

Quoting Sabina Silva, supervisor of the Protected Area Management Board of Balinsasayao Twin Lakes, Amiscaray  said  the water of the lakes rose to about 15 meters during the February 7, 2009 widespread flooding in Dumaguete after heavy rain of more than a day long.

Amiscaray warned that San Jose and Amlan are in danger of devastation if the water of the lakes rise again.

She also said continuous heavy rain for one day or more may trigger another upsurge (of water) and this time, it will no longer be confined to the limit of the lake, and may overflow and flood the low-lying areas. The towns of San Jose and Amlan are in danger of devastation, Amiscaray added.

In an interview, she explained that in case the lakes overflow, many areas, including Dumaguete, will be affected but since the elevations of San Jose and Amlan to the lakes are lower compared to that of other areas, the two towns are more vulnerable to massive flooding.

Amiscaray said barangay disaster coordinating councils  from barangay to provincial levels should be organized to map out plan on what to do during  a calamity.*RA

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