Ongoing Research Projects
As of Second Semester AY 2025-2026
This year, the NIGS 2026 Research Grants spotlight geohazards while strengthening the science behind safer infrastructure and innovation, from improved fault and earthquake characterization to better tools for hazard assessment and risk-informed planning. Across the portfolio, researchers are combining fieldwork, remote sensing, and data-driven analysis to generate clearer, more usable information for institutions and communities.
The lineup also supports climate action through projects that track and interpret changing coastal and environmental conditions that shape long-term risk and resilience. Grounded in public service and driven by research excellence, NIGS continues to turn cutting-edge geoscience into knowledge that helps protect lives, communities, and the systems that keep them moving.
List of 2026 NIGS Grant Research Projects
| FACULTY | TITLE OF RESEARCH (2026) |
| Aurelio, Mario A. | Seismotectonics and ground deformation associated with the 30 September 2025 M6.9 Cebu Earthquake |
| Castro, Aris Paolo A. | Assessment of the Potential Volcano Instability and Flank Collapse of Mt. Malindig Using Analog Modelling |
| Catane, Sandra G. | Volcanic Processes and Hazards Associated with the Pleistocene Volcanic Centers in Benguet Province |
| Cuevas, Joshua Godwin | Integrated Geophysical and Remote Sensing Analysis of Lineaments in Central Philippines |
| Dianala, John Dale B. | Rupture history of the Cotabato subduction zone and its implications for seismic hazard in southern Mindanao |
| DiFilippo, Robert Michael | Script-based Groundwater Modeling of the Bantayan Island in Cebu Province |
| Dimalanta, Carla B. | Reconstructing Paleogene-Quaternary Climate Transitions in Luzon (Philippines) Using Geochemical Weathering Proxies |
| Elizaga, Mary Julia H. | Pressure-temperature-deformation (P-T-D) history of xenolith-bearing porphyritic andesites from Sabtang and Batan Islands, Batanes: Signatures of lower crustal evolution |
| Fernando, Allan Gil | Ostracod Assemblages of the Pliocene Laoag and Lao-ingen Formations, Ilocos Region, Philippines |
| Fernando, Allan Gil | Inventory of Fossil Bovid Specimens in Philippine Museum and Laboratory Collections |
| Gabo-Ratio, Jillian Aira S. | Ore-forming Conditions of the Nugget Hill Cu-Au Prospect, Baguio Mineral District, Philippines |
| Lagmay, Alfredo Mahar Francisco | The 'Soft-Record' Extreme: A Statistical Indictment of Flood Risk Design Standards Following the 2024 Tropical Storm Kristine Disaster in Bicol |
| Pamintuan, Andrea Denise A. | Evaluation of Strontium/Calcium Ratio (Sr/Ca) in Late Holocene Coral Microatolls From Balaoan, La Union as Sea-Surface Temperature (SST) Proxies |
| Pascua, Chelo S. | Insights on Natural Hydrogen Systems from Geochemical Reaction Modeling |
| Payot, Betchaida P. | Petrography and geochemistry of mantle and volcanic rocks of the Polanco Ophiolite Complex: Insights into the tectonic evolution of central Zamboanga |
| Peleo-Alampay, Alyssa M. | Understanding the Sedimentation of Calcareous Nannofossils in Sulu Sea |
| Ramos, Kirk Justin S. | Sequential Extraction Procedure for Sulfide-hosted and Telluride Refractory Gold Ores |
| Ramos, Noelynna T. | Spatiotemporal Analysis of Sinkhole Clustering and Evolution in Bogo, Cebu |
| Santillana, Francis Erris S. | Kinematic Characterization of the 2025 Mw 6.9 Cebu Earthquake Surface Rupture Using Optical Imagery and InSAR Data |
| Sumaden, Mark B. | Host Rock and Alteration Mineralogy of the Fatima Veins, Mankayan Mineral District, Luzon, Philippines |
| Valera, Gabriel Theophilus | Understanding the metamorphic rocks of the Central Zamboanga Peninsula: Insights from the P-T-D history of the Amphibolites |
| Valeriano, Lorenzo Angelo D. | Pressure-temperature-deformation-time (P-T-D-t) history of the metamorphic rocks in the Mindoro Island Group: Insights on the western Philippine arc-continent collision zone |
List of 2025 NIGS Grant Research Projects
| FACULTY | TITLE OF RESEARCH (2025) |
| Abuda, Jamila B. | Feature Selection in ML Models for Landslide Prediction |
| Armada, Leo T. | Decoding Geophysical Signatures of Probable Hydrogen Gas Resources Linked with the Zambales Ophiolite Complex |
| Aurelio, Mario A. | Rare magnitude 5.1 Palawan earthquake of 11 June 2024 in the NW Sulu Sea Basin |
| Catane, Sandra G. | Reassessment of the Emplacement Mechanism of Banahaw Debris Avalanches using Hummock Morphology and Internal Structures |
| Cuevas, Joshua Godwin | Imaging Crustal Thickness Variations in Central Philippines using Gravity Inversion |
| Dianala, John Dale B. | Preservation of the 1973 Ragay Gulf earthquake rupture in Phil-Lidar data |
| DiFilippo, Robert Michael | Assessing High-Frequency Remote Monitoring of Designed Monitoring Wells Against Seasonal Gauging of Hand-Dug Wells for Groundwater Monitoring |
| Dimalanta, Carla B. | Fault mapping along Eastern Mindanao using integrated gravity, magnetics and remotely-sensed data |
| Fernando, Allan Gil | Fossil Ostracods from the Pliocene Tartaro Formation (San Miguel, Bulacan) |
| Gabo-Ratio, Jillian Aira S. | Automated Mineralogy Mapping of Refractory Gold Ores from Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy Scans of Polished Rock Sections |
| Lagmay, Alfredo Mahar Francisco | Lahar Deluge in the Coastal Towns of Taal Lake Following STS Trami (Kristine), October 2024 |
| Pascua, Chelo S. | Assessing the Geochemical and Mineralogical Factors for Carbon Sequestration in the Balangiga River Watershed, Eastern Samar |
| Payot, Betchaida P. | Petrological variability of detrital chromian spinels from Sibuyan Island, Romblon |
| Peleo-Alampay, Alyssa M. | Creation of a Philippine Calcareous Nannofossil Reference Slide Collection and Occurrence Database |
| Peleo-Alampay, Alyssa M. | Learning Activities and Enhanced Museum Guides for Grade School and High School Students in the UP NIGS-UPGAA Geology Museum |
| Ramos, Kirk Justin S. | Ore Microscopy and Automated Mineralogy of Refractory Gold Ore of the Bonanza-Sandy Vein System in the Masara Gold District, Maco, Davao de Oro |
| Ramos, Noelynna T. | Geomorphic Controls to Slope Stability and Long-Term Deformation of the Abra River Basin in Northern Luzon |
| Sumaden, Mark B. | Ore Mineralogy of the Felicia Vein, Mankayan Mineral District, Luzon, Philippines |
| Tablizo, Meyrick | Stegodon mindanensis Naumann, 1890: A Reassessment of the Holotype in Dresden, Germany |
| Valera, Gabriel Theophilus V. | Understanding the metamorphic resources of the Palawan Microcontinental Block: Romblon Marble and Mindoro Jade and Garnet Amphibolite |