SUBIC-Clark Alliance for Development (SCAD) Chairman Nestor S. Mangio has lauded the Central Luzon Regional Development Council (RDC-III) for giving premium to measures that will minimize damages to life and property in case the region is hit by a natural disaster.

In a statement, Mangio cited the RDC-III plan to come up with comprehensive hazard and risk maps identifying disaster-risk areas in Central Luzon with corresponding measures that would lessen casualties and economic losses in times of natural calamities. RDC is chaired by San Fernando, Pampanga Mayor Oscar Rodriguez.

Mangio was referring to the "Landslide and Flashflood Hazard and Risk Mapping in Central Luzon" which is one of the programs and projects identified under the development objectives of the proposed Regional Development Plan (RDP).

"In the wake of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan, RDC is more resolute now than ever to come up with measures that ensure minimal damage of natural disaster in Central Luzon. We believe that this hazard and risk mapping project suits our intension," Mangio said. SCAD is a member of RDC-III together with Bulacan, Pampanga, Bataan, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Zambales and Aurora.

Mangio explained that the hazard and risk maps would serve as guides in urban and regional planning to formulate and design mitigating measures and in giving proper warning to people at risk.

The hazard and risk mapping involves analyses of topographic maps, air photos and satellite imagery to map geomorphologic features relevant to landslide and flashflood susceptibility.

The first phase of the project will cover the provinces within the Sierra Mountain Range while the second phase will cover areas within the Mariveles and Zambales Mountains.

Initial interpretation of the images and photos will be verified by aerial and ground-based surveys and the data will be processed, integrated and analyzed using Geographic Information System.

The proposed RDP indicates that the general direction of the mapping project is to identify and characterize slopes prone to landslides, river morphology features critical to flashflood generation such as river constrictions, alluvial fans and delta, map areas where water can be temporarily impounded by natural dams which can be breached suddenly to release water as flashfloods, and map population centers and vital infrastructures at risk.

"I believe that this is a timely project. I am confident that the RDC will implement this as soon as possible because everybody in the council sees the importance of this project for the protection of our people here in Central Luzon," Mangio pointed out.

SCAD is a government office mandated to rationalize resources and harmonize policies and strategies to ensure an integrated and coordinated approach to the development of Subic-Clark-Tarlac Corridor as a world-class mega-logistic hub and global gateway to the Asia-Pacific Region.

It is composed of the Department of Trade and Industry, Bases Conversion and Development Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Clark Development Corporation, North Luzon Railways Corporation, and Clark International Airport Corporation.