In a significant step towards enhancing coastal resilience, the Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) in Batac City, Ilocos Norte, has introduced the nation’s first two-dimensional wave flume facility. Launched on February 3, 2025, this PHP41-million project, funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), aims to simulate and study complex wave and water movements under controlled conditions.
Dr. Nathaniel Alibuyog, the program leader at MMSU’s Coastal Engineering and Management Research and Development Center (COASTER), highlighted the facility’s role in testing various coastal protection structures. These tests are crucial for addressing issues related to climate change, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable coastal management. Given the Philippines’ extensive coastline of over 36,000 kilometers, the facility is poised to play a pivotal role in developing science-based technologies and innovations, enhancing human resource capabilities in coastal engineering, and formulating policies to bolster coastal community resilience against flooding and storm surges.
Alibuyog emphasized the facility’s importance in disaster preparedness, stating that it would enable the creation of tailored designs for specific regions across the country. His team is currently experimenting with various geometric designs of seawalls to mitigate wave forces and combat coastal erosion, a pressing environmental challenge in the Philippines. He noted that traditional responses, such as constructing hard structures like seawalls and groins, often lack comprehensive analysis and planning, leading to unintended long-term effects on natural coastal processes.
An assessment of coastal flood protection structures in the Ilocos Region revealed that 68% are in ideal condition, while 5% require major refurbishment or replacement. Dr. Enrico Paringit, director of the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development, underscored the importance of utilizing science and technology to protect communities and properties from typhoon damage. He pointed out that the new facility would significantly reduce the time, resources, and challenges associated with testing designs at actual project sites.
The facility’s development aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to ensure that flood control project designs are meticulously planned and executed.