1st in PH: MMSU launches wave flume facility
By Jesslyn Keith Valite
To further tackle and develop solutions for the ongoing challenges faced by coastal communities in the Philippines, MMSU inaugurated the country’s first Wave Flume Facility on February 3 at the Coastal Engineering Building.
The state-of-the-art two-dimensional wave flume facility, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) worth P41 million, is designed to simulate complex wave and water movements in a controlled environment for academic research and practical applications.
The facility’s primary goal is to study climate change, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable coastal management, which are pressing issues given the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
MMSU OIC-President Prima Fe R. Franco emphasized that the facility represents much more than a physical building. “It is a testament to our commitment to building a future that is more resilient, sustainable, and adaptable to the challenges posed by climate change,” she explained.
“This facility serves as a key step in the pursuit of innovative solutions that will help mitigate the impacts of rising sea levels and extreme weather events,” she added.
Through the Coastal Engineering and Management Research and Development Center (COASTER) project, the university will facilitate cooperative efforts between local and national stakeholders to engage in pioneering research and technological advancements at the facility.
Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Development and COASTER program leader Nathaniel Alibuyog stressed that the facility will develop science and technology innovations for coastal risk management and resilience.
According to Dr. Alibuyog, data-driven solutions are essential for addressing coastal challenges, as the Philippines has one of the longest coastlines in the world, stretching over 36,000 kilometers.
DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development Director Enrico Paringit emphasized such facilities find possible interventions that will help communities cope with the coastal challenges.
Present at the launching were Vice President for Resource Generation and Management Bjorn Santos, Research Director Dionisio Bucao, Extension Direcror Marilou Lucas, DOST Region 1 Director Teresita Tabaog, Unified Project Management Office - Flood Control Management Cluster representative Joseph Samonte, PAGASA-Laoag Station Chief Meteorological Officer Cynthia Iglesia, including other staff from the Department of Public Works and Highway, DOST, and MMSU COASTER.
COASTER, launched in 2021, is also the country’s first coastal engineering and management research and development center. Their four banner projects are exploration of coastal erosion trends and management strategies, coastal flooding, nature-based solutions for coastal protection, coastal flood information, and risk management.
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