Geoscience Division of the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, Region V has temporarily suspended the regionwide implementation of its major programs for CY 2020 because of the mandatory implementation of the Luzon lockdown effective March 17, 2020 due to the outbreak of the COVID-19.

The Vulnerability Risk Assessment (VRA) and Updating of 1:10,000 scale Geohazard Map which were undertaken last March this year in the Municipalities of Bagamanoc and Panganiban in the Province of Catanduanes were not fully completed due to the announcement of the Enhanced Community Quarantine on March 17, 2020 at 1:00 pm where field personnel conducting the said activity were unable to travel back to the Office immediately.  Likewise, VRAs in the Municipalities of Mandaon and Baleno in April were also postponed.

Further, the activity on Groundwater Vulnerability Assessment (GWVA) to be conducted in the municipalities of Balud and Mandaon in the Province of Masbate which was scheduled in April and May was then discontinued. Furthermore, the activities on Coastal Geohazard which were scheduled this May shall also be suspended.

However, these field programs shall resume operation once the threat of the pandemic is over as the top priority concern of this Office remains the health and safety of its personnel.