PNRI Director Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla (2nd from right), PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol (2nd from left), PNRI Atomic Research Division Chief Dr. Lucille V. Abad (extreme right), and PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD) Chief Ma. Antonia V. Bornas (extreme left) during the signing of the MOU between PNRI and PHIVOLCS (Photos from PNRI Nuclear Materials Research Section)
PNRI and PHIVOLCS sign MOU on nuclear S&T in volcanology and seismology
Bringing nuclear science and technology to bear in the field of volcanology and seismology, the DOST - Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (DOST-PNRI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for research collaboration with the DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) on January 25, 2023.
PNRI and PHIVOLCS will work together on several projects covering fields such as geochemistry, volcanism, geothermal and volcano-hydrothermal studies, and active fault mapping and monitoring.
In particular, the collaboration aims to maximize PNRI's expertise in isotope-based analytical techniques, x-ray fluorescence spectrometry, radiocarbon dating and other nuclear-related methods.
These joint efforts will contribute to PHIVOLCS’ efforts towards disaster mitigation on volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and related calamities, while also providing valuable data for PNRI’s studies on environmental and natural resources management.
PNRI Director Dr. Carlo A. Arcilla and PHIVOLCS Director Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol signed the MOU, with PNRI Deputy Director Dr. Vallerie Ann I. Samson, PNRI Atomic Research Division Chief Dr. Lucille V. Abad, and PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD) Chief Ma. Antonia V. Bornas as witnesses.
The MOU ceremony concluded with a tour inside the Geochemical Laboratory of VMEPD.
PNRI and PHIVOLCS are one of the many daughter agencies under the umbrella of the Department of Science and Technology.
PNRI serves as one of DOST's Research and Development Institutes specializing in the peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, while also serving as the national regulatory body for nuclear and radioactive materials and related activities.
Meanwhile, PHIVOLCS is one of DOST's S&T Service Institutes, principally mandated to mitigate disasters that may arise from volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunami and other related geotectonic phenomena.
(with Andrei Joshua R. Yu | PNRI-Nuclear Materials Research Section)
After the MOU ceremony, the delegation went on a tour of the facilities inside the Geochemical Laboratory of the PHIVOLCS Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Prediction Division (VMEPD) (Photo from PNRI Nuclear Materials Research Section)
