President Benigno Aquino plans to have a 3-D map of the Philippine archipelago created as part of an effort to guard against disasters.

The project, which will cost a billion pesos ($23.2 million), will help pinpoint communities which are vulnerable to floods, landslides and other natural disasters, the President said.

“This mapping will help us check every corner of our country so we will have more information on which areas are vulnerable to floods,” Aquino said at the opening of a government flood-control project. “This will be a big help in giving us enough time to help our countrymen who are about to be hit by a flood.”

He said the project was justified despite its high price because the Philippines was identified as “geo-hazard area” where catastrophes were common.

Aquino did not say how the 3-D mapping would be carried out or when it would be completed.

The Philippines is considered one of the world’s most vulnerable countries to natural disasters.   AFP