Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), Ilocos Norte – The Department of Science and Technology Region 1 (DOST Region 1) proudly participated in the inauguration of the country’s first-ever Wave Flume Facility, housed at MMSU. This landmark event marks a significant milestone in coastal engineering research and disaster resilience in the region.
As the first of its kind in the Philippines, this state-of-the-art facility aims to advance research on wave dynamics, coastal erosion, and climate change adaptation. It will serve as a vital testing ground for designing resilient coastal structures and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events. Furthermore, the facility will help bridge gaps in coastal engineering by developing science-based technologies and innovations, strengthening human resource capacity in coastal engineering research and management, and shaping policies to enhance coastal community resilience against flooding and storm surges.
DOST 1 Regional Director Dr. Teresita A. Tabaog expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting its critical role in disaster risk reduction and innovation in coastal infrastructure.
“As we inaugurate this facility today, let us celebrate not just the structure before us, but the endless possibilities it represents—the knowledge we will gain, the solutions we will create, and the future we will shape together,” Dr. Tabaog stated.
The Wave Flume Facility is part of the Coastal Engineering and Management Research and Development Center (COASTER) and was developed through the collaboration of MMSU, the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), and other key stakeholders.
The potential applications of this facility include wave-structure interaction studies, beach and shoreline erosion analysis, harbor and port engineering, and wave energy conservation for renewable energy. Additionally, it will support tsunami and storm surge monitoring, as well as research on river and estuarine hydrodynamics.
Among those present at the inauguration were DOST-PCIEERD Director Dr. Enrico Paringit, MMSU Officer-in-Charge Dr. Prima Franco, COASTER Program Leader Dr. Nathaniel R. Alibuyog, and Engr. Joseph Samonte of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Unified Project Management Office-Flood Control Management Cluster. DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and Undersecretary for Research and Development Dr. Leah J. Buendia also delivered messages of support, emphasizing the facility’s significance in strengthening the country’s resilience to coastal hazards. With this pioneering project, DOST Region 1 reaffirms its commitment to promoting scientific advancements that drive sustainable development and disaster preparedness in the region and across the nation. (Carla Joyce B. Cajala)