Mariano Marcos
State University

MMSU coastal engineering studies published as Scopus-indexed conference paper

By Ian Paul Villanueva

The MMSU - Coastal Engineering and Research (COASTER) Center produced three Scopus-indexed conference papers at the 46th Asian Conference on Remote Sensing (ACRS) in Makassar, Indonesia, from October 27 to 31. The papers focused on storm surge forecasting, hydrologic modeling in the Abra River Basin, and using satellite-based precipitation data for runoff modeling.

The papers are “Predictive Ability of Delft3D-Based Storm Surge Forecasts Using Historical and Forecasted Typhoon Tracks,” by Engr. Christine Mata, Mr. Clein Winslee Duquez, Dr. Olivia Cabrera, Engr. Tristan Janryll Mata, and Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog; “Evaluating CHIRPS Satellite-Based Rainfall Data for Hydrologic Modeling and Climate Impact Assessment in the Abra River Basin, Philippines,” by Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, Mr. Shivherly Benedict Feland Dolores, Dr. Rodel Utrera, and Engr. Christine Mata; and “Assessing GSMaP Satellite-Based Precipitation for Runoff Modeling in a Data-Scarce Mountainous Basin: A Case Study of the Abra River Basin, Philippines,” by Engr. Ma. Gloann Longboy, Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, Dr. Rodel Utrera, and Engr. Christopher Zamuco.

The studies were first presented by Dr. Rodel Utrera, Chief of the MMSU Fabrication Laboratory, and Engr. Christine Mata, COASTER Chief, at the ACRS last year, where over 200 other presenters from 15 countries participated. MMSU's involvement in the conference strengthened its role in applied geospatial sciences and advanced its goals.

Among many other objectives, the research papers examined the accuracy of Delft3D as a storm surge forecast model in northern Luzon and evaluated the performance of remote sensing technologies such as the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data (CHIRPS) and the Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GSMaP) as they were used for hydrologic modeling, climate change impact assessments, and sustainable water resource management in the Abra River basin.

As the center’s maiden Scopus-indexed publications, these studies represent a milestone in COASTER’s mission to produce globally-competitive research.

Engr. Mata shared these publications, “strengthen MMSU’s presence in the global research community and open more opportunities for collaboration.” “It showed MMSU’s ability to generate globally recognized, high-quality studies that address both local and international challenges in coastal engineering,” she added.

The MMSU COASTER Center is the first of its kind in the country. It was established in 2021 and has since been under the leadership of Dr. Alibuyog, Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation.

With funding from the Department of Science and Technology through its Science for Change Program (S4CP) – Niche Center in the Regions (NICER) program, it has the main objectives of developing science-based technologies, innovations, and human resource capital, and formulating policies that enhance the resiliency of coastal communities against flooding and storm surges.