LAOAG CITY, Nov 29 (PIA) -- Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) successfully led their Coastal Engineering and Management Research and Development Center (CoastER) through a virtual launch on November 23.

According to Dr. Nathaniel R. Alibuyog, CoastER program leader, the center will focus on its three-pronged interventions; the development of science-based technologies and innovations, the development of human resource capital of Higher Education Institutions (HEI) towards coastal engineering and research and management, and to formulate science-based policies to enhance resiliency of coastal communities.

“The program, with high hopes, that after three years, it could develop new technology and innovations to address coastal erosion, new construction materials, and policies and guidelines to promote coastal resiliency,” Alibuyog said.

CoastER’s project 1 will deal with coastal erosion trends ang management strategies. CoastER aims to provide knowledge to Region 1 HEIs on research on coastal erosion and establish trends and possible causes of erosion along selected coastlines of the region, and to identify hotspots of erosion so proper recommendations of management can be considered by the concerned Local Government Units (LGU).

CoastER’s project 2 will focus on the assessment, monitoring, and prediction of coastal flooding in selected municipalities in region 1. The project aims to develop a coastal flooding prediction model, to develop and integrate wave and tidal gauge monitoring system that will provide 24/7 tide and wave gauge monitoring, that can be used as basis of policies and management plans to build resiliency on coastal communities.

Lastly, project 3, will focus on the science-based approach to coastal protection. This project aims to develop corrosion resistant concrete materials for coastal infrastructure using resources in the region considered waste. The project intents to use fly-ash, aquaculture by-products, rice hulls, and Sablot Trees.

The CoastER Center is funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Science for Change (S4CP) Niche Center in the Regions (NICER). The research facility will also spearhead the offering of a master’s degree in Coastal Engineering in Region 1.

“We need to work hard to create an atmosphere where science and technology are the primary drivers of holistic growth,” encouraged DOST Secretary, Prof Fortunato De La Pena on his message during the opening program.

Moreover, MMSU President called for unity so “we can grow the CoastER in Region 1 bilang ating tugon sa hamon ng panahon,” she said. (JCR/VHS/EJFG, PIA Ilocos Norte)