National Institute of Geological Sciences

NIGS Students Enhance Emergency Response Skills Through First Aid and Basic Life Support Training

NIGS Students Enhance Emergency Response Skills Through First Aid and Basic Life Support Training To help ensure safety and preparedness during field activities, students of the National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) participated in a First Aid and Basic Life Support (BLS) Lecture and Demonstration conducted by the Philippine Red Cross on 19 June 2026 at the NIGS Multipurpose Room.

[GENTLE REMINDER: MASTER'S EXAMINATION OF MS. DAINTY CLARICE V. RABANG]

Name of Student: Dainty Clarice V. Rabang
Degree Program: Master of Science in Geology
Thesis Title: Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Mt. Bulanjao, Palawan Ultramafic Watersheds and its Implications on Chemical Weathering Rates and CO2 Consumption
Date and Time: 19 June 2026 (Friday), 9:00 AM
Mode: Hybrid (Zoom and NIGS Seminar Room)

NIGS Participates in Nationwide Earthquake Drill, Strengthens Emergency Preparedness Planning

The National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) actively participated in the Nationwide Earthquake Drill (NSED) held on 18 June 2026 at 9:00 AM, reaffirming its commitment to disaster preparedness and community safety through the continuous improvement of its emergency response systems and protocols.

Faculty members, staff, students, researchers, and visitors took part in the drill, beginning with the implementation of the “Duck, Cover, and Hold” procedure upon the sounding of the alarm. Participants then evacuated the NIGS Building in an orderly manner and proceeded to the designated assembly areas, demonstrating the Institute’s readiness to respond effectively during seismic emergencies.

NIGS Participates in National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill, Strengthens Emergency Preparedness Planning The National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) actively participated in the National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) held on 18 June 2026 at 9:00 AM, reaffirming its commitment to disaster preparedness and community safety through the continuous improvement of its emergency response syste...

“This Pride Month, UP Diliman (UPD) proudly introduces Noelynna T. Ramos, DSc, geologist, researcher, and UPD faculty for 20 years.”

Read the full story here: https://upd.edu.ph/noelynna-t-ramos-dsc-geologist-professor-upds-pride/.

NIGS Strengthens Disaster Readiness Through Earthquake Drill Planning and Emergency Preparedness Initiatives

A Preparatory Meeting for the upcoming National Simultaneous Earthquake Drill (NSED) was held on 11 June 2026 at the NIGS Seminar Room. The meeting focused on coordination efforts, roles and responsibilities, and key preparations to ensure the successful conduct of the drill.

This was followed by a presentation of the Emergency Preparedness Plan by Dr. Carlos Primero D. Gundran of the UP Resilience Institute, who shared insights on disaster preparedness, emergency response, and resilience-building strategies.

Preparatory activities such as this help strengthen awareness, preparedness, and coordination among personnel, while also reinforcing proper protocols, communication channels, and response procedures. These efforts contribute to a more effective, timely, and organized response in the event of a real earthquake, ultimately enhancing overall safety and institutional resilience.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

* Student Assistants
* Graduate Assistants

For Midyear Term 2026

Kindly submit your application documents through this link: bit.ly/SAGAapp

Deadline: 16 June 2026

https://nigs.upd.edu.ph/blog/nigs-quarterly-6/nigs-recognizes-outstanding-students-at-the-2026-up-geology-merit-awards-262

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 UP Geology Merit Awards!

The National Institute of Geological Sciences proudly honored this year's awardees during the awarding ceremony held at the NIGS AVR on 5 June 2026.

The UP Geology Merit Awards recognize students who exemplify academic excellence, leadership, service, and commitment to the geological sciences.

2026 UP Geology Merit Awardees:

Undergraduate Awardees:
• Lopez, Ella Sofia O.
• Pagay, John Dominique M.

Graduate Awardees:
• Alcancia, Mariz ​L.
• Cuevas, Joshua Godwin
• Pamintuan, Andrea Denise A.

[ANNOUNCEMENT: MASTER'S EXAMINATION OF MS. DAINTY CLARICE V. RABANG]

Name of Student: Dainty Clarice V. Rabang
Degree Program: Master of Science in Geology
Thesis Title: Hydrogeochemical Assessment of Mt. Bulanjao, Palawan Ultramafic Watersheds and its Implications on Chemical Weathering Rates and CO2 Consumption
Date and Time: 19 June 2026 (Friday), 9:00 AM
Mode: Hybrid (Zoom and NIGS Seminar Room)

As the Zoom platform can only accommodate up to 300 participants, interested individuals are advised to accomplish the Registration below before 12 JUNE 2026 (FRIDAY), 5:00 PM. The log-in details in Zoom meeting will automatically be sent to you via email.

Link of Registration: bit.ly/4uOOmdc

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐒𝐞𝐱𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫
09 June 2026 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐢𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
19 June 2026 | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

(for NIGS Geology 170 & 215 students - Midyear 2026)

Pre-registration: https://forms.gle/HtUiWjT73L8jgtrYA

NIGS Instructor, Ms. Elisha Maglalang, who is currently pursuing her PhD at Cardiff University, UK, is the latest guest of the popular Behind The Science Podcast. She talks about her research on the existence of gas hydrates in the seabed west of Luzon, as well as her journey in geoscience research in the Philippines and abroad as a young geoscientist.

📢 NEW EPISODE 📢
In this episode, we talk with Elisha Jane M. Maglalang about her study on the possible occurrence of gas hydrates in offshore western Luzon — the first of its kind in the Philippines. Gas hydrates are ice-like substances that trap methane gas within their molecular structure and form naturally on the seafloor under high pressure and low temperature. They are of significant interest both as a potential alternative energy resource and as a geologic hazard. Their dissociation can release large amounts of methane into the atmosphere and trigger underwater landslides. By reinterpreting existing multi-channel seismic reflection data from the Manila Trench, the study identified bottom simulating reflectors, which is the primary seismic signature of gas hydrate presence, across a total area of approximately 15,400 km² in the Manila Trench forearc region.

📌 Watch the full episode on Spotify, Youtube, and Apple Podcasts. Link in bio.

📚Research spotlight:
Maglalang EJM, Armada LT, Santos MC, Sayen KF, Dimalanta CB, Hsu S-K, Yumul GP Jr. 2023. Bottom simulating reflectors in the Manila Trench forearc and its implications on the occurrence of gas hydrates in the region. Marine and Petroleum Geology. 158:106538.