SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – A barangay located at the foot of Mt. Arayat here is considered a permanent danger zone because it is susceptible to another landslide particularly during heavy rains, the regional Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said yesterday.
DENR 3 regional director Ricardo Calderon said this was based on a geological hazard study of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, even as he advised residents of Barangay Bano to remain vigilant in order to avoid any untoward incident.
It can be recalled that at least 12 people died when a landslide occurred in the area in 2009 at the height of typhoon Ondoy.
Meanwhile, Calderon said the DENR and local government units in Pampanga will promote Mt. Arayat as one of the top tourist destinations in the region.
”Mt. Arayat is a national monument in Central Luzon, particularly in Pampanga. This has been declared protected area since 1948. That’s why we are encouraging the LGUs to invest on the environment management protection of the said place,” he said.