Authors: Margarita P. Dizon*, Dan Gil S. Fermo, Reynaldo M. San Jose, Gilbert A. Ramilo, Bianca Louise Q. Bautista, Koreen G. Dorado, Jeromalyn A. Palma, Matthew R. Torres, Adrienne Albert T. Beltran, Andrei Benedict G. Del Rio, Joseph Brian M. Mape, and Nadean Lois D. Yag-at

Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS)

 

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ABSTRACT

The “Topographic Amplification of Earthquake Ground Motion for Landslide Hazard Assessment (TOUGH),” a project of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) – Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS), conducted a survey in Brgy. Tuquib, Villaviciosa, Abra, with support from the municipal and provincial disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) offices on 17 July 2025. This investigation focused on the landslides that were triggered nearly three years ago by the magnitude (Mw) 7.0 and 6.4 Northwestern Luzon earthquakes in the barangay. Using reference data from the Quick Response Team (QRT) of DOST-PHIVOLCS and Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) team of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) coupled with analysis using geographic information systems and remote sensing (RS), at least eight (8) landslides, their changes over time, and their various impacts were documented. As reflected by the landslide hazard maps of the area, the steep terrain, the friable and blocky nature of slope materials, as well as the occurrence of seismic and meteo-climatic destabilizing events, are conducive for slope failures, necessitating several recommendations which reinforce those made by the QRT and PDNA team in 2022.

 

Citation:

Dizon, M. P., Fermo, D. G. S., San Jose, R. M., Ramilo, G. A., Bautista, B. L. Q., Dorado, K. G., Palma, J. A., Torres, M. R., Beltran, A. A. T., Del Rio, A. B. G., Mape, J. B. M., & Yag-at, N. L. D. (2026). Findings from the quick inspection of the landslide in Barangay Tuquib, Villaviciosa, Abra. PHIVOLCS Open-File Report No. 26-01, 17 pages.