21st NIGS Research Symposium (NIGSCon 2026) - Powering the Future: The Role of Geology in Philippine Energy Sustainability

The National Institute of Geological Sciences (NIGS) of the University of the Philippines Diliman held the 21st NIGS Research Symposium (NIGSCon 2026) on 28-30 October 2026, with the theme “Powering the Future: The Role of Geology in Philippine Energy Sustainability”. The three-day event brought together researchers, industry professionals, students, and members of the geoscience community, recording an average of approximately 250 attendees per day. With presenters and participants from various academic and research institutions, the symposium provided a platform for scientific collaboration, knowledge exchange, and discussions on the role of geology in addressing the country’s energy sustainability challenges.The first two days featured invited speakers who shared their research and perspectives on energy resources, exploration, and sustainability. 

The symposium formally opened with a welcome address by NIGS Director Dr. Noelynna T. Ramos, followed by a keynote presentation by Hon. Alessandro O. Sales, Undersecretary of the Department of Energy (DOE). His presentation highlighted the importance of energy development and the government's role in advancing the Philippine energy sector.

Mr. Ronald O. Vicedo, Director of the Philippine Geothermal Production Company, discussed energy security through geothermal energy development and capacity expansion. Dr. Chelo S. Pascua, Associate Professor at NIGS, presented her research on natural hydrogen systems in Philippine ophiolites, focusing on the Zambales Ophiolite along the Western Central Luzon Basin margin. Meanwhile, Dr. Loraine Pastoriza-Primaleo, Head of the Geosciences Department of First Gen Renewables, discussed the evolving role of geothermal geosciences amid the energy transition.

On the following day, the program started with the keynote presentation of Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla (NIGS Professorial Lecturer / former PNRI and NIGS Director), whose work has encompassed nuclear medicine, mining, and environmental applications; followed by the presentation of invited speakers. Dr. Francisco G. Delfin, Jr. (President and Chief Executive Officer, PetroGreen Energy Corporation) discussed Renewable Energy and Sustainability in the Philippines: Drivers, Challenges, and Directions.

On the other hand, Research Assistants from DOST-PNRI Ms. Genie Belle M. Bulaong presented their work on rare earth element fingerprinting of Camarines Norte uranium ores using triple quadrupole inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for nuclear forensic source attribution. And lastly, Dr. Jhud Mikhail O. Aberilla (Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of the Philippines, Diliman) discussed Bridging Geology and Systems Engineering: Life Cycle Sustainability and Systems Analysis of Decarbonization and Energy Transitions.

Complementing the invited presentations, the symposium provided a platform for researchers and students to share their studies through 35 oral presentations and 40 poster presentations across four research clusters: Petrography, Geochemistry, and Mineral Resources (IGM); Tectonophysics and Stratigraphy (TS); Surface Processes and Hazards (SPH); and Interdisciplinary Geosciences (IG). The studies covered diverse topics, including mineral resources, geothermal energy, natural hydrogen, carbon sequestration, geologic hazards, and other emerging areas in the geosciences.

The presentations featured researchers and students from various academic and research institutions. NIGS had 29 oral presentations and 25 poster presentations while other participating institutions included Partido State University (1 oral and 5 poster presentations), DOST-PHIVOLCS (2 oral presentations), Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (1 oral presentation), UP Manila (1 oral and 1 poster presentations), Kangwon National University (1 oral and 1 poster presentations), Caraga State University (3 poster presentations), Curtin University Malaysia (1 poster presentations), Kyushu University (2 poster presentations), Negros Oriental State University (1 poster presentation), and UP Los Baños (1 poster presentation).

Expanding its engagement beyond research presentations, NIGSCon 2026 featured its first Job Fair on 30 October 2026, co-presented with the UP Geology Alumni Association (UPGAA). Particularly geared toward students and graduates in geology and mining, the event featured morning career talks by leaders from the energy and geoscience sectors, followed by afternoon booth sessions connecting participants with prospective employers.

The three-day event concluded with an Appreciation Night recognizing the sponsors, organizers, and partners whose support and contributions helped make the symposium possible. NIGS extends its gratitude to the following donors and sponsors:

Scholarship Donors:

1. Dr. Romeo M. Flores: Dr. Romeo M. Flores and Family Scholarship Grant 
2. Philex Mining Corporation: Philex Mining Undergraduate Scholarship Grant 
3. UP Cwm Zena'na: UP Cwm Zena'na Scholarship Program 
4. FILMINERA Resources Corporation (FRC) and Philippine Gold Processing and Refining Corp. (PGPRC): FILMINERA Scholarship Program and FILMINERA Resources Corporation Grant 
5. Ms. Sykie Mutia-Defante and Atty. Rainier T. Defante: Gabriel Ethan M. Defante Memorial Student Support Grant in Geology 
6. Iuvenis Orbis Inc. (Mr. Ronald Vicedo): UP Geology Merit Award 

Thesis Grant Donors

1. Dr. Evelyn Magsino-Bacuta and Family: Dr. George C. Bacuta Undergraduate Thesis Grant
2. Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA): Philippine Mining and Exploration Association (PMEA) Best Undergraduate Thesis Award 

Field Assistance: Dr. Marietta M. De Leon - MnC Field Assistance 

Laboratory Equipment and Scientific Materials Donors 

1. Oceana Gold Philippines Inc. (ATTY. JOAN D. ADACI-CATTILING): Microscopes and Ward’s rock & mineral set donation 
2. Filminera Resources Corporation: Microscopes and rock & mineral set donation 
3. Geological Society of the Philippines (Engr. Janice A. Wayan): Donation of 28 geological compasses 
4. Dr. Garry Maurath and Lesa Maurath: 154 Geological Samples for the NIGS–UPGAA Geology Museum 
5. Mr. Douglas J. Kirwin: Ore and Mineral Specimen Collection 
6. Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (Mr. Felipe U. Yap): Steel Cabinets for the Kirwin rock collection 
7. PetroEnergy Resources Corporation: Donation of a microscope camera attachment
8. Philsaga: Rock sample donation for laboratory classes 
9. UP Cwm Zena'na: Laptops and Pocket Wi-Fi Devices 
10. Kappa Epsilon Fraternity of the UP System (Diliman Chapter): Donation of 25 computer tables 
11. UP Geology Alumni Association: Donation of 25 computer tables and laptops/ NIGS-UPGAA Museum Repainting/ Donation of Seminal Books and Polarizing Microscope 

Software Sponsors: Rock Flow Dynamics - tNavigator Software 

NIGS 2026 Sponsors

1. Platinum sponsors: Prime Energy Resources Development B.V. and OceanaGold (Philippines), Inc.
2. Gold sponsors: PetroEnergy Resources Corporation, Philippine Geothermal Production Company, Inc. (PGPC), Apex Mining Co., Inc., De Leon Import and Export Corporation, Austhai Geophysical Consultants Limited, and Sea and Land Technologies Philippines Inc.
3. Silver sponsors: Philinstruments Corp., Cordillera Exploration Co., Inc., Philsaga Mining Corporation, FCF Minerals Corporation, and Carmen Copper Corporation
4. Bronze sponsors: GeoInnovative Specialists Inc., Omnibus Bio-Medical Systems, Inc., JATEC Philippines Corporation, Filminera Resources Corporation, Geoscience Foundation, Inc., and Shimadzu Philippines Corporation
5. Other sponsors: The Rocktype PH and PNOC Exploration Corporation.

Through events such as the NIGSCon 2026, NIGS contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education - Metric 4.3.2 Public events for lifelong learning, by providing an educational platform for sharing scientific knowledge, presenting research findings, and discussing developments in geology and energy sustainability. By bringing together students, researchers, industry professionals, and other members of the geoscience community, the symposium promotes continuous learning and strengthens public understanding of geology’s role in advancing a sustainable energy future for the Philippines.

For more details regarding the NIGSCon 2026, please visit: NIGSCon 2026 Official FB Page