2025-26 TECHNICAL BULLETTIN - DIGITAL

Environmental and economic sustainability of wastewaterreclamation and reuse in urban areasOver 2.3 billion people experience water stress, and millions in developing countries still lackaccess to clean water and sanitation due to inadequate wastewater treatment infrastructure. Thelinear take-make-dispose model further exacerbates the pressure on already limited naturalwater resources. In light of these challenges, the study investigates wastewater reclamation andreuse (WWRR) as a circular, resource-oriented alternative capable of producing potable waterand compares its environmental and economic performance with a conventional sewagetreatment plant (STP)-water treatment configuration, which only meets safe discharge standardsand requires an additional water treatment facility for potable water production. A WWRR systemwas designed and simulated for urban applications, achieving potable water standards. The lifecycle assessment (LCA) demonstrates that the WWRR scheme outperforms the conventionalsystem in 18 midpoint categories, including a 33.6% reduction in global warming potential.However, techno-economic analysis (TEA) reveals cost challenges largely driven by energyintensive tertiary treatment technologies – reverse osmosis (RO) and membrane bioreactor(MBR). To address this trade-off, we evaluate natural protein-based filters, specifically Moringaoleifera (MO)-functionalized cotton filters, exhibiting effective contaminant removal efficiencywith lower environmental and economic burdens. Integrating natural filtration technologies intoWWRR systems presents a feasible and eco-friendly approach to addressing urban waterchallenges while advancing sustainable and circular water infrastructure.ABERILLA, JHUD MIKHAIL O.MAYNILAD PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERING (1)Dr Jhud Mikhail Aberilla is a Professor at the Department of Chemical Engineering, University of thePhilippines Diliman. He is a licensed Chemical Engineer and an Associate Fellow of the Higher EducationAcademy (UK). After obtaining his PhD from the University of Manchester, he now leads the SustainableProduction and Responsible Consumption (SPaRC) research laboratory which has hosted researchers inchemical, energy, and environmental engineering. His research interests include life cycle sustainabilityassessment, systems modelling and simulation, and sustainability in engineering education and policy.He is the principal investigator of projects on extended producer responsibility, institutional carbonfootprinting, and food waste utilization. He has also provided his expertise to companies andorganizations on circular economy, electrification planning, and corporate water strategy.51

Managing Geotechnical Risks in theDesign and Construction of Retaining and Flood Walls:Overcoming Project Integration BarriersGeotechnical projects often face significant uncertainty due to the complexity of the factors andprocesses involved leading to inconsistencies, insufficient management, excessive delays,limited stakeholder engagement and unexpected increases in project costs. Despite efforts tomaintain control, many such projects lack a cohesive framework of assessing safety, technicalviability and construction process regularity.This paper proposes a comprehensive approach to geotechnical structures specifically retainingwalls and flood control structures. The five project management process groups of initiating,planning, executing, monitoring, and closing shall be used as a framework in the planning,design and construction of retaining and flood walls. Integration risks in the implementation ofgeotechnical projects are discussed in this paper.The aim of this paper is to provide a checklist in the evaluation of flood walls from a riskmanagement perspective which is one of the 10 knowledge areas of project management.Having this framework establishes a more consistent, well-documented, and streamlinedmethodology that enhances project outcomes and reduces process uncertainties. This results inmore efficient and cost-effective geotechnical investigation, design, implementation andmonitoring work.ACACIO, ALEXIS PHILIP A.Dr. Salvador F. Reyes Professorial Chair in Geotechnical EngineeringAlexis A. Acacio, PhD is a Professor of the Institute of Civil Engineering at the University of thePhilippines. His research interest involves site specific geotechnical investigation, laboratory testing andgeotechnical analysis for various infrastructure projects. His latest research work involves the integrationand use of project and risk management processes in the efficient design and construction ofgeotechnical infrastructure. He is also involved as a geotechnical and project management consultant tovarious civil infrastructure projects throughout the Philippines and served as the past president of thePhilippine Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (PSSMGE).52

JeePS: Designing a Realtime Public Transportation TrackingSystemThere are currently several user problems associated with informal public transportation in thePhilippines. Efforts to address fac- tors greatly affecting passenger satisfaction towards PublicUtility Vehi- cles (PUVs) remain lacking, leading to an overall poor condition of public transportation. This paper presents the JeePS system, which is both a web application and amobile application designed to address user prob- lems. The web application is designed toprovide passengers and route managers with information and services to address user needsregard- ing PUVs, while the mobile application is intended for use by drivers to assist in datacollection. JeePS encompasses features such as GPS track- ing, basic jeepney and routeinformation, feedback system, report system, rough time estimation, fare matrix, and passengerdemand system. Alto- gether, the system is designed to enhance overall passenger satisfaction towards PUVs. A live testing was done for validation and the results suggests that there is animprovement in passenger satisfaction towards jeepneys after using the JeePS system.ADDAWE, JOZELLE C.JOSE P. DANS, JR. PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGJozelle C. Addawe is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Science, College ofEngineering at the University of the Philippines Diliman. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Bachelor ofScience in Computer Science from the University of the Philippines Baguio and her Master of Science inComputer Science from UP Diliman. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence. She is amember of the Service Science and Software Engineering Laboratory, where she actively engages inmentoring undergraduate students pursuing research in software development for health and educationaltools.Her research interests include data science, knowledge discovery, and artificial intelligence forservice science, particularly in leveraging data-driven methods to support decision-making and serviceinnovation.53

Optimizing Residential Rainwater Harvesting Systems:Improved Gutter and Screen DesignAs water scarcity remains a critical issue in many water-stressed regions of the Philippines,rainwater harvesting systems (RWHS) offer a practical and sustainable solution. However,inefficiencies in existing systems, such as inadequate gutter slopes, leakages, and clogging,limit their effectiveness and hence, their wider adoption. This research seeks to enhance gutterand screen systems to improve water collection efficiency for RWHS. Given the anticipated dryconditions during the project implementation, a laboratory-scale rainfall simulator was designedand developed to replicate varying rainfall conditions and test various configurations of guttershapes (rectangular, trapezoidal, semicircular, and wrap), gutter slopes (0.5% single slope, 1.0%single slope, and double slope), and screen presence (with or without screen). The setup wascalibrated and validated against target rainfall intensities to ensure consistency across trials. Thevolume of water collected and time of drainage were measured to evaluate system performanceand analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) at a significance level of ?? =0.05. Results showed that gutter shape (p<2.2e-16) and gutter slope (p<2.2e-16) havesignificant effects on water collection efficiency, both individually and in combination (p<2.2e16). While screen presence alone did not significantly affect efficiency (p=0.4272), interactionbetween gutter shape and screen showed moderately significant results (p<6.1e-11) andinteraction effects between gutter slope and screen was marginal (p=0.1253). Three-wayinteraction among gutter shape, slope, and screen also showed significant results (p=5.803e07). The optimal configuration was identified based on statistical analysis and practical designconfigurations. This study demonstrates the feasibility of enhancing RWH systems throughgutter and screen design optimization, offering a scalable and affordable solution for sustainablewater access in Filipino households. Recommendations for future improvements include testingthe system under actual rainfall events and refining components for pilot field testing.AMOLATO, ROCHIE D.ANGEL A. ALEJANDRINO PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGRochie D. Amolato is an Assistant Professor in the Environmental and Energy Engineering Group at theUP Institute of Civil Engineering. He holds a BS Civil Engineering and an MS Environmental Engineeringfrom UP Diliman, specializing in rainwater harvesting, water sustainability, stormwater management, anddecision analysis.His research includes multi-criteria evaluation of rainwater harvesting systems, urban flood mitigationthrough optimal tank sizing, and the development of affordable rainwater harvesting solutions for ruralcommunities. He has published in the ASEAN Engineering Journal and the PICE Journal and haspresented in national and international conferences.As a faculty member, he teaches courses in sanitary engineering, probability and statistics, and civilengineering design, while advising multiple undergraduate research projects. He also serves on variousICE committees and has been a regional speaker on water and energy audit and rainwater harvesting.54

BIM-Based Framework in the Operations and MaintenancePhaseThe full benefits of Building Information Modeling (BIM) can only be explored when it is appliedthroughout the whole life cycle of the building. However, research has shown that it is mostlyused in the beginning stages (design and construction) and its implementation in theOperations and Maintenance (O&M) phase is limited. This study aims to develop a frameworkthat integrates BIM into the O&M phase through a case study of the ICE Main Building. Theframework deals with integrating maintenance sheets into the areas created in BIM that keepsrecord on the building components that need to be monitored. The model was designed in aLOD 200 that focused on proper area assignments and locations of building components. ABuilding Condition Assessment (BCA) was conducted to limit the building components only tothe most critical. Moreover, to ensure the proper implementation of the framework, an O&Mmanual was also developed. Overall, the framework successfully integrates BIM into the O&Mphase by allowing the O&M staff to keep records through the maintenance sheets that areintegrated in the BIM. Furthermore, an O&M manual was developed that helps the framework’simplementation in the O&M of the building as well as improve its overall building operationsaddressing concerns from the BCA.ANTONIO, OSCAR VICTOR JR. M.RONALDO S. ISON PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING ANDDISASTER RISK MANAGEMENTDr. Oscar Victor M. Antonio, Jr. is a Professor at the Institute of Civil Engineering. He teachesundergraduate and graduate courses in the fields of structural, geotechnical and constructionengineering. His research areas cover non-destructive testing and evaluation, structural integrityevaluation of new and existing structures, structural health monitoring, building information modeling,concrete imaging (superstructure and substructure), ultrasonic wave simulation, concrete technology,smart building, ground improvement, and applications of unmanned vehicles, artificial neural network,and augmented reality for structure evaluation. Dr. Antonio is also a research extension fellow of UP BRSand participates in volunteer work as a form of service to LGUs and to the public.Dr. Antonio graduated with a Doctor of Engineering degree from Tokyo Institute of Technology. Heobtained his Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil Engineering from the Universityof the Philippines Diliman.55

Towards Collaborative Weather Sensing:An SDR-Based Interoperability Gateway for WeatherInformation Aggregation (SIGWA)Weather Monitoring Systems available in the market are typically closed systems that aredesigned to work only with other equipment from the same manufacturer. This hinders thecollection of information from a variety of weather stations, preventing denser data collectionand better observation of weather patterns through collaborative weather sensing amongindividuals and institutions. We leveraged the programmability of software-defined radios(SDRs) to enable collecting data from multiple, heterogeneous weather stations by a singleradio. We developed a weather station gateway equipped with SDRs that are programmed toreceive and decode information from weather stations that use different protocols and operate atdistinct frequencies. Data from these stations are stored both locally and online, with updateintervals being real-time for the local storage and every 15 minutes for the online database.Deployment results show reliable data reception from the heterogeneous weather stations overa 24-hour period.AUSTRIA, ISABEL M.MENELEO G. CARLOS SR. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CENTENNIAL PROFESSORIALCHAIRIsabel Austria is an Associate Professor at the Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE) Institute. Shegraduated BS Computer Engineering from the EEE Institute. In 2016, she obtained a degree in PhD EEE(straight track) with an Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) scholarship. Shethen became a full-time faculty member of the Institute and currently serves as Institute's GraduateProgram Coordinator. She handles undergraduate and graduate courses in computer engineering andcomputer networks. Her field of expertise is in computer networks and her current research interests aresmart cities and the Internet of Things. She is one of the faculty members of the Smart SystemsLaboratory. She has been involved in various government-funded research programs, including thePCARI SCAN/SD-INFRA project, the SPICE Program, and currently the UP CARE program.56

Development of a Scoring Framework and Rapid Tool forNovice Screeners to Estimate the Seismic Risk of Damage inLow-Rise Concrete Buildings in the PhilippinesLow-rise concrete buildings in the Philippines have been frequently damaged in pastearthquakes, underscoring the need for effective seismic risk assessment. As a preliminary steptoward distinguishing buildings with high seismic risk, simplified screening tools that do notrequire users to be specialists or expert structural engineers are commonly used, reserving thetime and expense associated with full structural engineering assessments. This paper proposesan improved scoring framework and a corresponding rapid tool for screening called SCREEN,based on the probable loss that estimates the seismic risk of damage in low-rise concretebuildings in the Philippines using parameters that can be conveniently gathered by screenerswho are novices, i.e., not structural engineers but have backgrounds in building design orconstruction. SCREEN was compared with two locally developed seismic screening tools usinga sample set of six (6) concrete hollow block buildings and eleven (11) reinforced concretebuildings, demonstrating high sensitivity in identifying buildings needing engineeringassessment. Meanwhile, its specificity in excluding low-risk buildings has not yet been as good.To minimize the risk of overlooking buildings with high seismic risk, this study prioritizes highsensitivity. Further testing of SCREEN on a larger, diverse set of low-rise concrete buildingswith independently assessed seismic risk is recommended.BANIQUED, JULIUS REY R.SENATOR GAUDENCIO ANTONINO PROFESSORIAL CHAIRJulius Rey Baniqued is a civil engineer and faculty member at the Institute of Civil Engineering, Universityof the Philippines Diliman. He specializes in disaster risk management and infrastructure resilience,focusing on seismic and multi-hazard risk assessment. Julius has led initiatives such as developing rapidseismic risk assessment tools for low-rise buildings and computing vulnerability curves for publicschools to support equitable resilience-building efforts. He collaborated with organizations like the WorldBank and Philippine agencies on data analysis and disaster risk projects.57

Evaluating the Performance of Crushed Mussel Shells as PartialReplacement to Fine Aggregates in the Concrete MixThe rapid rise in population has led to numerous societal problems. The increase in populationled to more problems with solid waste, particularly marine waste. An exponential growth in theproduction of shell waste over the past few years has led to marine pollution and otherenvironmental problems in our bodies of water. On the other hand, the continued growth of theconstruction industry has affected our environment, particularly finite natural resources such asaggregates. Given the numerous harmful effects of aggregate production, several researchstudies have been conducted to address these issues and identify potential substitutes for fineaggregates in commercially available concrete mixes. Mussel shells, due to their high content ofcalcium carbonate, have become one of the most viable options, as they can act as an inertmaterial, similar to limestone, in the concrete mix. This study focused on evaluating theperformance of concrete mixes with mussel shells acting as a fine aggregate replacement indifferent percentages (0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%). This study also aimed to determine whethernon-destructive tests, such as the rebound hammer and ultrasonic pulse velocity, can be usedto predict the actual compressive strength of concrete mixed with waste materials. Lastly, thisstudy also aimed at determining the optimum replacement percentage of mussel shells in thefine aggregate composition. After the conduct of the study, it was found out that there issignificant difference between the performance of the commercially available concrete mixesand the mussel shell – induced concrete mixes, both the rebound hammer test and ultrasonicpulse velocity test are inaccurate in predicting the actual compressive strength of concrete, and10% replacement percentage is the optimum percent replacement of mussel shells in the fineaggregate composition.CANDELARIA, MA. DOREEN E.JOSE MA. DIAGO DE CASTRO PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGDr. Ma. Doreen E. Candelaria is an associate professor and the current Deputy Director for Students andAlumni at the Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE), UP Diliman. She is the former head of ICE'sConstruction Engineering and Management Group. She completed her PhD from Dong-A University inBusan, South Korea, in 2024. Her research focuses on non-destructive testing (NDT) for fire-damageassessment of concrete structures, sustainable concrete damage evaluation, and sustainable construction.Currently, her research focuses on alternative construction materials that effectively reduce damagecaused by corrosion and fire. She is committed to advancing construction engineering throughinnovative, sustainable practices. Dr. Candelaria’s dedication to research, teaching, and industrycollaboration reflects her vision for advancing the field of construction engineering to meet the challengesof a sustainable future.58

From Traces to Trends: Experimenting with GPS Mobility Datafor Migration DetectionThis paper explores the methodological and analytical challenges of deriving migration andmobility indicators from large-scale GPS mobility datasets. Using location traces collected frommultiple mobile applications, the study investigates how device-level data can be preprocessed,filtered, and aggregated to infer medium-term migration behavior. The analysis focuses on thetechnical design of workflows, including app persistence filtering, spatial accuracy constraints,nighttime sampling for home detection, and spatial joins with administrative boundaries.Thispaper presents the study as an experimental framework for evaluating how preprocessingdecisions, data sparsity, and device persistence influence mobility inference outcomes. Initialexperiments reveal several sources of uncertainty, including uneven spatial coverage, shortdevice lifespans, and sensitivity of migration classification to temporal window selection. Thefindings highlight both the potential and limitations of passively collected mobility data formigration research and point toward future directions for improving data representativeness,validation, and reproducibility in spatial data science.CARCELLAR, BIENVENIDO III G.PROF. DOMINADOR ILIO PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGBienvenido G. Carcellar Ill is currently an assistant professor of the Department of Geodetic Engineeringat the University of the Philippines, Diliman. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree in GeodeticEngineering in 2015 and Master of Science degree in Geomatics Engineering (major in Geoinformatics)in 2020 both in UP Diliman. He also obtained his Master of Engineering degree in EnvironmentalSystems Engineering in 2021 in Yamaguchi University. His research interests include GIS, Spatial DataScience, Geostatistics, Spatiotemporal Analysis, and Big Geospatial data analysis.59

Developing a Geospatial Framework for Calculating a15-Minute City Index (FMCI): The Case of Quezon CityThe 15-minute city concept is a measure of the quality of urban life based on proximity,sustainability, and sociality. This study proposes a geospatial framework for calculating the 15-minute city index (FMCI) aimed to measure the accessibility of its residents to six socialfunctions, which include living, working, supplying, caring, learning, and enjoying. Quezon City,Philippines, was chosen for its urban characteristics that aligned with this vision and served asthe study area. To account for pedestrian needs, age-based weights were assigned to the socialfunctions, and service areas were mapped using a uniform walking speed. FMCI values werecalculated based on weighted social functions and barangay population distribution by agegroup. Results revealed that 39% of Quezon City’s barangays achieved a perfect FMCI score ofone, indicating access to all six functions within a 15-minute walk. Positive spatialautocorrelation indicated the clustering of barangays with similar FMCI values, with hot spots inthe southern and cold spots in the northern parts of the city. These findings offer insights forpolicymakers in improving urban life quality. The adaptable FMCI framework can be applied toother urban areas to assess service accessibility, considering residents' needs.CLARIDADES, ALEXIS RICHARD C.DCCD ENGINEERING CORPORATION PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGAlexis Richard C. Claridades is an Associate Professor at the Department of Geodetic Engineering,University of the Philippines Diliman, where he leads the Geomatics for Built Environment Laboratory. Hisresearch specializes in 3D and Indoor GIS, digital twin development, spatial data integration, andgeospatial standards, with strong applications in urban and built environment analytics. Dr. Claridadescompleted his PhD in Urban Geoinformatics at the University of Seoul, South Korea, where he conductedadvanced work on spatial modeling and continues to collaborate with international partners.He plays an active role in major national geospatial programs, including DOST-funded initiatives on smartcities, regional geospatial databases, and climate-responsive spatial analytics. Dr. Claridades haspublished extensively with both graduate and undergraduate researchers, reflecting his commitment tomentorship and collaborative scholarship. His work contributes to strengthening geospatial capacity,innovation, and the modernization of the Philippine geospatial ecosystem.60

Simulation-Based Evaluation of Permeable Pavement Systemsfor Stormwater Runoff Control in Tropical ClimatesRapid urbanization in recent decades has significantly increased impervious concrete surfaces,reducing infiltration, disrupting natural hydrological cycles, and intensifying urban flooding.While conventional rigid infrastructures such as canals can attenuate runoff by redirecting flows,their effectiveness is limited during high-intensity rainfall events. This study evaluates thehydrologic performance of permeable pavement systems (PPS) in a microcatchment in anurbanizing city using simulations through the Personal Computer Storm Water ManagementModel (PCSWMM). Historical 20-year rainfall data served as the basis for PPS design andperformance assessment. Results indicate that the optimized PPS configurations compared toconventional pavement demonstrated substantial reductions in runoff volume, peak flow, anddischarge duration, while delaying runoff initiation. Increasing the sub-base depth furtherenhanced PPS performance, highlighting its potential as a climate-resilient solution forsustainable urban stormwater management in tropical environments.CRUZ, GIL JR. G.JORGE M. CONSUNJI PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGDr. Gil Cruz is an Assistant Professor at the UP Diliman Institute of Civil Engineering under the Water Resources andCoastal Engineering Group. He holds an MS in Environmental Engineering from UP Diliman and a PhD in CivilEngineering from De La Salle University.He leads the DOST-funded project “Development of Localized Water Footprint Decision Support & VisualizationSystem,” which advances hydrologic modeling, GIS, and digital tools to help local governments make data-driven,equitable, and sustainable water management decisions. He also heads Project DALOY (Decentralized and AdaptiveLandscapes for Overflow Yield), which promotes nature-based stormwater management systems within urbanenvironments to enhance flood resilience and sustainable land-use planning.His work bridges scientific research and real-world applications, strengthening environmental governance, urbanresilience, and community-centered public service. His research focuses on sustainable stormwater management,nature-based solutions, climate and weather risk assessment, and the integration of digital infrastructure inenvironmental and urban planning—anchored on using innovation to improve lives and communities.61

Spatiotemporal Analysis of Mining-Induced Vegetation Loss inHomonhon Island Using Normalized Difference VegetationIndex: Possible Impacts on Biodiversity and CommunityHomonhon Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar is a historically and ecologically important site thathas been subject to mining operations since the 1980s. Being rich in nickel and chromite, thereare currently five mineral production sharing agreements in the 104 km2 island inhabited byalmost 5,000 residents. It is reported to be home to the critically endangered and endemicPhilippine cockatoo, plus 72 endemic and 15 threatened plant species based on recent surveys.The almost 50 years of mining in the island resulted in lack of clean water and electricity, dustand noise pollution, reduction of crop yield and fisheries, deforestation, and threat tobiodiversity. These alarming effects not only threaten the existence of the island and its currentresidents, but also pose a serious risk to the future generations. The evolution of the landscapedue to the rampant mining activities were analyzed using NDVI on a time series of Landsatimages from 1973 to 2024. The results show that about 56% of the land area exhibited overallNDVI decline, implying vegetation degradation or loss. The spatial overlay of the NDVI changeresults, building polygons, and threatened species illustrates the possible effects of miningareas on humans and biodiversity. The existence of mining tenements in more than 80% of theentire island poses serious threats, necessitating effective and comprehensive action. Geospatialtechnologies can provide a reliable means of monitoring mining areas, from planning torehabilitation, to ensure compliance and help mitigate adverse impacts.CRUZ, MARGAUX ANGELICA A.QUEZON POWER PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGEngr. Cruz is an Assistant Professor at the University of the Philippines, Department of Geodetic Engineering. Sheholds a Master’s degree in Remote Sensing and a Bachelor’s in Geodetic Engineering from UP Diliman.With over 20 years of experience, she has worked in research and consulting roles with the BiodiversityConservation Society of the Philippines, Haribon, Asean Centre for Biodiversity, UP Marine Science Institute, and theBureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, among others. She has trained government and local personnelnationwide on geospatial technologies to support climate resilience and conservation. She previously served as a UPDGE Instructor and as a Remote Sensing Analyst for Conservation International–Philippines.Her work in Remote Sensing, GIS, and mapping focuses on biodiversity, benthic habitat analysis, and sustainabledevelopment. She currently leads the GIS-ROPA project and co-developed the Benthic Habitat Monitoring Serviceunder CopPhil.62

Preliminary Characterization for the Development of a LowCost and Low Complexity Hybrid Drivetrain Optimized forPublic Transportation Driving CyclesAdvances in hybrid powertrain technology have been proven to provide superior fuel economy in private vehicles.However, the initial cost and maintenance complexity of such technologies have hindered adoption into Philippinepublic transportation. This study is the initial phase in the development of a low-cost and low-complexity seriesparallel hybrid drivetrain optimized for public transportation driving cycles.The study revolves around operating a small internal combustion engine only along an Optimum Operating Line(OOL) despite having varying vehicle speeds and road loads. The OOL was determined for a Kama KM170Fengine by measuring fuel consumption data at steady-state conditions across varying RPM and torque levels fordifferent fuel rack positions. Optimal operating points, defined by lower specific fuel consumption, were identifiedand used as basis for the control parameters of a pre-developed hybrid control system.The hybrid powertrain consisted of the engine coupled both in series and in parallel to two electric motors, usingonly one clutch. The clutch was disengaged for low vehicle speeds, and ran as a series hybrid. At higher speeds,the clutch was engaged to run in parallel hybrid mode. the control system was adjusted to have the motor eitherassist or add load to the engine, ensuring the engine would run at the optimum speeds for every acceleratorpedal position. Supercapacitors were used as an electric storage system.The drivetrain was mounted onto a rolling chassis and tested on a chassis dynamometer. A driving cycle wasdeveloped to simulate public transportation dynamics. Real-time data on pedal input, vehicle speed, engine RPM,and motor voltage output were logged and analyzed. Emphasis was placed on evaluating the hybrid systemincluding motor response, operation under varying speeds and accelerations, and the system’s transition betweenmotoring and regenerative modes. Insights on the motor and engine sizing, drive cycle suitability, the hybridsystem control scheme and sprocket sizing were also given.Results show that the system was able to follow the intended engine operating line in short bursts especially atspeeds of around 35km/h, with the control strategy enabling fuel-conscious operation. However, the hybridsystem struggles in speeds greater than 45km/h. While no optimization or baseline comparison was performed,the study provides insight into system behavior and feasibility, laying the groundwork for future development ofretrofit-friendly hybrid control systems.DENOGA, GERALD JO C.FERNANDO N. SERIÑA PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERINGDr. Gerald Jo Denoga is a Professor of the Mechanical Engineering Department of the UPD College ofEngineering. He got his BS degree in Mechanical Engineering (cum laude) in UP Diliman, his MS degreein Mechatronics Engineering (High Distinction) at the University of New South Wales, and was the classvaledictorian when he got his PhD in Energy Engineering at UP Diliman. He was a former chairman of theMechanical Engineering Department, and former Associate Dean for Research of the College. Prof.Denoga established the Emerson HVACR laboratory, the Design and Manufacturing Center, theInstrumentation, Robotics and Control laboratory, and the Machine Design Laboratory. Prof. Denogaspecializes in transportation energy and systems modelling. His latest research includes energymodelling of light rail systems, development of hybrid vehicles, energy modelling of public utilityvehicles, and dynamic modelling of condensate systems.63

Towards Sustainable Tourism and Solid Waste Management inRemote Islands: Policies and Practices in the Province ofBatanes, PhilippinesThe province of Batanes in the Philippines faces persistent challenges in solid wastemanagement (SWM) due to its geographic isolation, limited land availability, and the logisticalissues of transporting recyclable waste to the mainland. These issues are further aggravated bythe growing number of tourist arrivals, which place additional pressure on the province’s alreadystrained SWM systems. This study aims to quantify tourism-driven waste in Batanes and assessmanagement strategies that promote sustainable tourism, in alignment with the goals of the UNTourism International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories. The study evaluates theprovince’s compliance with the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000 (RA 9003),estimates tourism-related waste generation across various establishments, and conducts apolicy-driven scenario analysis which integrates potential waste reduction strategies, includingthe adoption of water dispensers, refillable containers for toiletries, and community-basedrefilling stations for condiments. Mixed-method approaches were employed, involvingstakeholder interviews and a Waste Analysis and Characterization Study (WACS) in themunicipality of Basco. Results indicate that tourism-related establishments in Batanes areestimated to generate approximately 310.57 kg/day of waste, accounting for 28.89% of the totalwaste in Basco – comprising mainly biodegradable and plastic wastes. The waste streamanalysis found that out of the 1,075 kg/day total waste generated in Basco, 38.11% is recoveredthrough materials recovery facilities (MRFs) and junk shops, while 32.74%, primarily foodwaste, is diverted for agricultural and livestock use, reflecting relatively strong recovery anddiversion activities. Among the scenarios analyzed, community-based refilling stations werefound to be the most effective, potentially reducing plastic waste by 11%. This study identifiesinfrastructure gaps and underscores the need for improved SWM systems to preserve thefragile ecosystem of Batanes. The findings support evidence-based policymaking aimed atadvancing sustainable tourism, enhancing regulatory compliance, and strengthening wastereduction strategies in small island contexts.DIOLA, MA. BRIDA LEA D.AMH PHILIPPINES PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN CIVIL ENGINEERINGMa. Brida Lea D. Diola is an Assistant Professor at the Institute of Civil Engineering, University of the PhilippinesDiliman (UP ICE). She is currently the head of the UP ICE Environmental and Energy Engineering Group, and theVice Chair of the Environmental and Energy Engineering Specialty Division of the Philippine Institute of CivilEngineers, Inc. (PICE).She has 15 years of experience in the field of Civil and Environmental Engineering. She has been involved in severalresearch and consulting projects, working with the public and private sectors and international organizations such asthe World Bank Group, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES).Her research interests include macro- and microplastic pollution, solid and hazardous waste management, disasterwaste management, water quality monitoring and modeling, and Environmental Impact Assessment.She graduated from UP Diliman with a degree of MS Environmental Engineering (2014) and BS Civil Engineering(2010).64

Evaluation of the Carbon Emissions of Electric Vehicles in thePhilippines considering Local Power MixThe transport sector remains to be a major contributor of greenhouse emission with 21.7 %share towards global emissions. In the Philippines, vehicle electrification is seen to curbtransportation emission since these vehicles have zero tailpipe emissions. However, consideringonly tailpipe emissions is misleading since the local electricity mix is dominated by fossil fuelsat greater than 60 % market share. Additionally, commercially available electric vehicles in thecountry are not tested nor simulated in Philippine routes, especially for routes with moderate tohigh grades of 8 % and more. The study simulated the performance of electric vehicles byvarying road grades in a vehicle and test model. The consumption from the simulation wasused to forecast business-as-usual and clean energy scenarios to analyse the impact of EVs onemissions, while also looking into more environmentally informed pathways for EV adoption bymatching CO2 emission targets and vehicle/fleet replacement. Results show a net reductionemission with increased adoption of electric vehicles. The findings indicate that EV adoptionalone yields minimal national carbon emission reductions, with a maximum decrease of 1.131Mt CO₂ (less than 1 % of national transport emissions) by 2040 under high adoption butunchanged power mix scenarios. Emission reduction is better achieved through investment inrenewable energy technologies, which lead to about 50% reduction in carbon emissions.ENCARNACION, JOB IMMANUEL B.LEOPOLDO V. ABIS PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERINGJob Immanuel Encarnacion is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He isthe laboratory head of the Marine and Aerodynamic Systems Laboratory with a focus on ocean energytechnologies and testing.65

Age of Air, Purging Flow Rate, and Net Escape Velocity in aCross-Ventilation Model Sheltered by Urban-like Blocks usingLESAlthough ventilation effectiveness varies in different sections of indoor spaces owing toimperfect mixing conditions, previous studies on cross-ventilation in a model sheltered byurban-like arrays were limited to the computation of boundary-based volume flow rates and airexchange rate. To evaluate the local ventilation efficiency in the cross-ventilation model, weconducted large-eddy simulations (LESs) to generate the velocity and concentration fields of anindoor space surrounded by blocks arranged in a staggered manner to compute localventilation using the age of air, purging flow rate, and net escape velocity (NEV*). We solved thedistributions of seven scalars with corresponding sources positioned at the inlet of the indoorspace (flow fluctuation is intermittent), indoor corners (flow stagnation is present), anddownwind location, for two window-opening cases: parallel and perpendicular to the flowdirection. The results indicated that the location of scalar sources significantly affects theventilation of the scalar, resulting in different concentration fields, even when the sources arenear each other. Additionally, we pioneered the use of NEV* for an unsteady simulation usingLES and the decomposition of NEV* into two components: advection (NEVA) and turbulentdiffusion (NEVT). The NEVA field appeared to be the velocity field, whereas the NEVT fieldappeared to be the induced or equivalent velocity field owing to turbulent diffusion. NEVTsignificantly affected local ventilation and even surpassed the effect of advection in regions withlow mean velocities. This study reinforced the use of ventilation indices over boundary-basedventilation rates when analyzing the sheltering effect.FERNANDEZ, KEN BRYAN A.APOLONIO P. AND LORNA L. YSON PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN MECHANICALENGINEERINGDr. Ken Bryan Fernandez is a Mechanical Engineering faculty member holding a Ph.D. from KyushuUniversity and both B.S. and M.S. degrees from UP Diliman. Prior to his academic career, he served as aTechnical Service Engineer at Emerson Climate Technologies, where he specialized in cooling loadcalculations, equipment selection, and technical training for refrigeration systems.His research expertise sits at the intersection of mechanical systems and architectural design, with aprimary focus on creating sustainable, occupant-centric environments. Building on his doctoral work inComputational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and personalized hybrid HVAC systems, Dr. Fernandez currentlyinvestigates strategies to enhance air quality, thermal comfort, and energy efficiency. His multidisciplinaryapproach integrates CFD simulations, field sensor measurements, and occupant feedback to analyzediverse settings, ranging from outdoor pedestrian environments to indoor spaces such as offices,classrooms, and hospitals.66

Privacy-Preserving Vehicle Intrusion DetectionUsing Machine Learning and EncryptionThe increasing connectivity of autonomous vehicles necessitates advanced intrusion detectionsystems (IDS) that can counter emerging threats without compromising user privacy. This talksurveys the landscape of privacy-preserving IDS for automotive systems, focusing on theintegration of machine learning and encryption. We examine techniques designed to detect andmitigate common attacks on Controller Area Network (CAN) bus traffic, including denial-ofservice, fuzzy, and impersonation attacks. A central theme of this survey is the analysis ofapproaches that balance computational costs (in-vehicle processing) against communicationcosts (server-based processing). Ultimately, this survey highlights critical research gaps andfuture directions for developing secure and private vehicular networks.FESTIN, CEDRIC ANGELO M.DMCI PROJECT DEVELOPERS PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERING (3)Cedric Angelo M. Festin is a Professor of Computer Science at UP Diliman. He holds the DMCI ProjectDevelopers Professorial Chair in Engineering Professorial Chair and is also a Senior Member of the IEEE.He obtained his PhD in Computer Science from University College London and Master’s degree inElectrical Engineering and BS degree in Computer Science from the University of the Philippines. He wasthe UP-Dado Banatao Fellow at University of California Berkeley (UCB) and Tallwood Venture Capital from2008 to 2009. He worked with Eric Brewer at UCB Computer Science Department and the TIER group. Hewas the team leader for the multi-year CHED-PCARI project Village Base Station from 2015-2020. Hewas also a former Chairman of the Department of Computer Science from 2005 to 2008 and from 2013to 2014. In 2008, he was awarded both the Gawad Chanselor Para sa Natatanging Guro (Chancellor'sAward for Outstanding Teacher), University of the Philippines Diliman and the Outstanding EngineeringResearcher Award of the College of Engineering, University of the Philippines.67

Towards the Curation of Environment-Related KnowledgeGraphs: Fine-Tuning General-Domain Language Models forBiodiversity Named Entity RecognitionThe availability of climate data fuels timely science-based climate actions. Pro- vidingpolicymakers and regulators with easy-to-digest, structured climate data, e.g., in the form of aknowledge graph, is critical to mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on the naturalenvironment. Natural language processing (NLP) applications that employ Named EntityRecognition (NER) systems can aid in un- covering information hidden in millions of textualdocuments. In this paper, we evaluated the NER performance of transformer-based BidirectionalEncoder Rep- resentations from Transformers (BERT) models that were pre-trained on generaldomain data. We fine-tuned BERT-based models on the COPIOUS dataset for the specialisttask of biodiversity NER. Our experiments showed that our DeBERTa NER model demonstratedbest performance, obtaining a micro-averaged F1-score of 84.18% based on entity-levelevaluation. We employed our DeBERTa NER model in a biodiversity Information Extraction (IE)pipeline and applied it on the forestry compendium of the Centre for Agricultural andBiosciences International (CABI) Digital Library. We demonstrate that the pipeline enables theextraction of structured information on reproductive conditions and habitats of tree species.GABUD, ROSELYN S.MARUBENI UP CENTENNIAL PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGLyn is committed to transforming the way scientific knowledge is uncovered and utilized. Her workaddresses the challenge of navigating the overwhelming volume of unstructured data found in scientificliterature, clinical abstracts, policy papers, field reports, and community-generated information. Byleveraging natural language processing (NLP) and text mining, she develops tools that automaticallyextract and connect information across these sources, enabling researchers and practitioners to accessintegrated, timely, and meaningful insights.Her research bridges Artificial Intelligence (AI) with real-world societal needs, particularly in areas relatedto environmental resilience, public health, and socio-economic development. Guided by a strongcommitment to socially impactful research, Lyn focuses on developing methods and technologies thatsupport equitable knowledge access and scientific advancement, especially within the Philippine context.68

Integrating Pushover Analysis with NSCP 2015 for theEvaluation and Retrofit Design of Low-Rise RC BuildingIn the Philippines, building retrofits often utilize linear analysis per NSCP 2015, which may leadto either overdesign or underdesign due to neglect of force redistribution effects. This studyillustrates the evaluation and retrofit design of a two-story reference building (C1-L-2S) andcompares linear analysis and pushover analysis. Linear checks indicate a need for retrofit in54% of beams and 92% of columns, while pushover analysis reduces the indications to 14%and 67%, respectively, based on hinge performance. Concrete and steel jacketing retrofits areeach applied, but subsequent pushover analyses reveal the remaining tendency for hingemechanisms in some members, indicating room for design optimization. Capacity curves showsteel jacketing provides higher overall building ductility. Pushover analysis proves valuable forvalidating and optimizing retrofit designs.GERMAR, FERNANDO J.DMCI PROJECT DEVELOPERS PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERING (1)Fernando J. Germar is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of the Philippines Diliman. Hewas formerly the Director of the UP - Building Research Service, and currently the OIC Director of theoffice. He also served as the Director of UP Diliman Office of the Campus Architect.He obtained his B.S. Civil Engineering degree (cum laude) from the University of the Philippines Dilimanin 1982. He also obtained his MS and PhD (Structural) in Civil Engineering from the University of thePhilippines Diliman.His research interests include earthquake engineering and seismic design and retrofit of structures.Dr. Germar is a PICE- accredited Specialist in Structural Engineering and Construction Management andEngineering. He is also a member of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP)and the Institution of Specialist Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ISSEP).69

Preliminary Studies on the Simulation of Load Effects of StormSurge and Log ImpactsAfter typhoon Hayian we have become aware of the disastrous effects of storm surge. Previoustyphoons that brought excessive rainfall also generated floods that caused floating debrisimpacts on existing structures. In this paper, preliminary studies that simulate the load effects ofstorm surge and impact loads from floating logs are investigated. In one study, the load effectsof storm surge on a collapsed oil tank in Tanuan, Leyte was simulated using finite elementmethod. Hindcasts and measurements from existing literature were obtained and equations fromthe Coastal Engineering Manual were used to calculate the pressures exerted by the water.These pressures were then used to simulate and model the impact of the storm surge andwaves on the structure. On another study, the effect of floodwater forces, as well as that ofdebris (specifically log) impact forces, on the disaster-resilient dwelling designed by theNational Housing Authority was evaluated. The flood actions including hydrostatic,hydrodynamic, and debris impact forces at varying flood depth and velocity were quantified.Through linear static analysis, yield line analysis, and use of a literature-based depth-damagecurve, the flood damage on the structure were determined.HERNANDEZ, JAIME JR. Y.ANTONIO G. TAN GIOK KUN PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN CIVIL ENGINEERINGJaime Y. Hernandez Jr. earned his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Tokyo specializing inStructural Health Monitoring. He is currently a full professor at the Institute of Civil Engineering in theUniversity of the Philippines where he served as Head of the Structural Engineering Group for manyyears. His research interests include Structural Design, Modeling and Analysis, Structural Retrofit ofExisting Structures, Wind Engineering, and Vulnerability Assessment. He is happily married to NestineHope S. Hernandez and father of Jazmine Ruth and Jonathan Hope. He is a man of faith and seeks toglorify God and grow in Christlikeness.70

Real Time Air Quality Sensor System for E-TrikesAir pollution from vehicle emissions poses significant health risks, while the Philippines’ fixedair quality monitoring stations fail to provide commuters with sufficient exposure data. Thisstudy implemented sensor systems on electric tricycles (e-trikes), both inside and outside, tomonitor air quality in Public Utility Vehicles (PUVs). Pollutants measured include PM2.5, carbondioxide equivalent (eCO2), and total volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A campaign at UPDiliman revealed high eCO2 levels around residential halls and college buildings, andsignificant PM2.5 near jeepney waiting sheds, indicating health risks to commuters. Thedeployment demonstrated an opportunity to cover a larger area around the campus, whichcurrently lacks a distributed air quality monitoring network. This project highlights the potentialof mobile systems, emphasizing the need for further studies on pollutant sources andcontributing to better air quality management.HIZON, JOHN RICHARD E.SAN ROQUE POWER CORPORATION PROFESSORIAL CHAIRIN COMPUTER SCIENCEDr. John Richard E. Hizon has been a faculty member of the UP EEEI for over two decades. He served asDirector of the Institute and is currently affiliated with the UP Microelectronics and MicroprocessorsLaboratory (MicroLab) where they develop wireless sensor nodes for emerging IoT applications byapplying digital and analog co-design techniques and taking advantage of More-than-Mooretechnologies. He is currently working on an online platform to use IoT devices in redefining air qualitymonitoring in the country through the DOST funded UP Center for Air Research in Urban Environments(UP CARE). This network consists of outdoor, indoor and mobile sensors to monitor air quality. He hasalso been involved with UP SIBOL in strengthening research collaborations between UP Manila and UPDiliman for biomedical applications. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degree from theUniversity of the Philippines – Diliman and his Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the ImperialCollege London in the United Kingdom.71

Durability Assessment of Loadbearing Concrete Hollow Blockswith Gold Mine Tailings as a Partial Substitute for SandWith increasing global urbanization, the construction sector is facing the pressures ofenvironmental sustainability and resource scarcity. Hence, there is growing need to indalternative materials from waste streams as inputs for concrete production. This study examinesthe durability of loadbearing concrete hollow blocks (CHB) containing gold mine tailings (GMT)as a partial sand substitute, addressing a gap in research on the long-term performance ofalternative materials. Three tests—accelerated weathering, acid attack, and alkaline attack—wereused to assess the durability of GMT-infused CHB under varying environmental conditions.Results from the accelerated weathering test showed that GMT-infused CHB performs wellunder alternate wetting and drying, as water absorption remained within acceptable limits (IS2185-2005). The acid attack test revealed a signi icant difference in compressive strengthbetween the control CHB and GMT-infused CHB, with the latter failing to meet the standard forloadbearing applications but still meeting the minimum compressive strength required fornonloadbearing blocks (DPWH D.O. No. 230, Series of 2016). In contrast, the alkaline attacktest indicated no signi icant strength difference between the control and GMT-infused CHB, withboth exceeding the minimum compressive strength requirements for loadbearing and nonloadbearing CHB, indicating good durability in marine environments. Overall, GMT-infused CHBdemonstrates durability against alternate wetting and drying, as well as in marine environments,though it is less suitable for aggressive chemical environments as a loadbearing material. Theseindings suggest that GMT infused CHB can be a viable option for selected loadbearing andnon-loadbearing applications, contributing to more sustainable construction practices.JUNIO-JIMENEZ, JESSICA M.DEAN ALFREDO L. JUINIO PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN CIVIL ENGINEERINGJessica Junio-Jimenez is an Assistant Professor affiliated with the Environmental and Energy EngineeringGroup of the Institute of Civil Engineering at UP Diliman. She received her diploma in BS CivilEngineering in 2015 and obtained her MS in Environmental Engineering with a focused study on SolidWaste and Hazardous Materials Management from the same university in 2023. She has been a researchadviser for several undergraduate research topics related to the use of solid waste materials inconstruction applications, rainwater harvesting technology, and water quality and wastewater treatment.Additionally, she also serves as a consultant at a start-up business called Resiklo, founded in 2021,which is a machine shop specializing in fabricating machines for plastic recycling such as plasticshredders and crushers, plastic injection machines, and plastic extrusion machines inspired by PreciousPlastic.72

PM 2.5 Monitoring in Elevated-level Metro System in thePhilippines Using Low-Cost SensorsIndoor air quality has been an increasing health concern globally. Several studies have analyzedelevated concentrations of Particulate Matter (PM) in metro systems, which have shownconcerning health results to the commuting public. In the Philippines, there are limited studieson PM concentrations in the metro system. With commuters spending a significant amount oftheir day in the metro system, it is paramount to understand the air quality in this space. Thisstudy examines the PM 2.5 concentrations inside the train and at station platforms. Theinteraction between the indoor (metro cabin) and outdoor (station platform) on PM 2.5concentrations at MRT station line during normal and peak hours are investigated. PM 2.5concentrations are observed to have elevated concentrations during peak hours, which arerelatively higher than the regulated local air quality standards.LUSTRO, JULIUS RHOAN T.LAGMAN FAMILY PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGDr. Julius Rhoan T. Lustro is an Associate Professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, UPDiliman, where he also obtained his Bachelor’s degree. He did both his masteral and doctoral studies atThe University of Osaka. His graduate research is focused on understanding the transition to turbulencein wall-bounded shear flows using dynamical systems theory. His current research interest includesapplication of computational fluids dynamics (CFD) and modelling to air quality, pollutant transport,agriculture, energy, and meteorology. Dr. Lustro is a member of the American Physical Society and theAustralasian Fluid Mechanics Society, and an associate member of the Philippine-American Academy ofScience and Engineering. He is the recipient of the UPD Outstanding Junior Engineering ResearcherAward for 2025.73

A Proposed Operational Framework for a Hybrid Tide Gaugeand GNSS-IR Coastal Monitoring Network for DisasterMitigation in the PhilippinesThe Philippines constantly face threats from coastal hazards, including storm surges, tsunamis,and sea-level rise. Traditional tide gauge (TG) networks, while reliable, are often limited due tohigh installation and maintenance costs, restricting their effectiveness for comprehensivenational disaster monitoring. This study proposes a cost-effective operational framework for ahybrid coastal monitoring network that integrates existing TGs with low-cost Global NavigationSatellite System Interferometric Reflectometry (GNSS-IR) sensors. The frame work is built on athree-phased approach: (1) a nationwide assessment of primary TG stations to identify optimalsites for sensor deployment; (2) the development and field deployment of a low-cost sensorsystem capable of long-term, autonomous operation; and (3) performance validation against anofficial NAMRIA tide gauge. Results from validation demonstrated high accuracy, achieving aroot mean square error (RMSE) of 3.115 cm and a Pearson correlation of 0.997 against a colocated TG. This framework presents a cost-effective and reliable solution to densify the nationalmonitoring network to enhance the Philippines' disaster prevention and mitigation capabilitiesagainst coastal hazards.MABAQUIAO, LUIS CARLOS S.JOSE P. SEGOVIA PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGLuis is an assistant professor in the Department of Geodetic Engineering. He earned his BS degree inGeodetic Engineering from the University of the Philippines and an MS Environmental Engineering with aspecialization in Environmental Systems Management from the same institution. He is a member of theGeo + Space Applications Laboratory in currently involved with the GNSS Interferometric Reflectometryproject for Sea Level Determination. His primary research interests revolve around the establishment ofGeodetic Control Networks using low-cost systems, Satellite Positioning Systems, and the application ofMicrowave Remote Sensing for environmental impact assessment, disaster risk reduction, and mitigation.His professional engagement extends to various projects, including initiatives focused on capacitybuilding in geospatial technologies for local government units. He is actively contributing to the updatingand revision of the manual on land surveys in the Philippines.74

Performance-Based Mapping of Electric Tricycle ConsideringRoad Grade in the PhilippinesElectric tricycle (e-trike) adoption in the Philippines has gained traction in recent years. Thissupports the country’s goal of promoting sustainable transportation and emission reduction.Despite the growth of the local e-trike industry, there is limited data on their performance andgradeability which hinders stakeholder confidence and overall adoption. This study evaluatedand mapped the suitability of existing e-trike designs on actual road conditions that includemoderate to adverse road gradients. Required road load and resulting vehicle dynamics wereobtained using drive cycle simulations. The simulations employed representative drive cyclesincorporated with actual road grade of an urban area with flat and hilly terrains. A localized etrike performance-based map was then generated, targeted towards providing information onroutes that are underserved and unserved by current e-trike units. The map provides therequired vehicle specification and applicable local e-trike models that can traverse specificroutes. This may be used by manufacturers, distributors, and local government units to plan fore-trike adoption and rollout.ODULIO, CARL MICHAEL F.ROGER MURGA PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGDr. Carl Michael Odulio is a professor of power electronics at the Electrical and Electronics EngineeringInstitute of the UP College of Engineering and is currently the Vice Chancellor for research anddevelopment of UP Diliman. His research interests are in the field of power electronics, focusing onmotor drives, electric vehicles, lighting technologies and balance of system components in renewableenergy systems for more than 20 years. He has served as program leader and project leader in variousprojects funded both by the government and the private sector. He is currently the head of the powerelectronics laboratory and also serves as a member of technical working groups in government agencies.Prior to joining the university, he was an electrical design engineer in a power supply company andconsulted for various companies in the electric vehicle industry.75

T4Cast simulation software on travel demand forecasting andanalysis for transportation planning, and its potential in localpublic transportation (PT) route rationalizationThe Intelligent Transportation System Laboratory (ITS Lab) housed at the UP National Center forTransportation Studies developed a travel demand analysis and forecasting software namedT4Cast with funding support from DOST. The software is intended to serve as a decisionsupport tool for local government units and seeks to promote evidence based transportationplanning. The tool basically embeds the fundamental four-step travel demand forecastinganalytical procedures used for transportation planning. This paper gives an overview of thedevelopment of the tool and presents its features and capabilities. Continuing developmenteffort is steered towards supporting the thrust towards PT route rationalization as a tangentialsupport to the PT modernization policy. Result of case studies and validation effort is presented.The software is due for an upgrade and an insight into the next R&D stage will be outlined visà-vis the current local public transport network planning intricacies and needs.PALMIANO, HILARIO SEAN O.DR. OLEGARIO G. VILLORIA, JR. PROFESSORIAL CHAIRIN TRANSPORTATION AND LOGISTICSDr. Hilario Sean O. Palmiano is an Associate Professor at the UP Institute of Civil Engineering (UP-ICE) inDiliman, and member of UP-ICE’s Transportation Engineering Group. He currently serves as DeputyDirector for Academic Programs. His areas of research include traffic simulation, transportation safety,traffic flow analysis, traffic impact analysis, transportation planning, and traffic engineering. He is alsoaffiliated with the UP National Center for Transportation Studies, where he conducts research andextension work, and served as former Director.76

Characteristics Of The Response Of A Low-Rise StructureUsing Spectral-Matched And Scaled Ground MotionsNonlinear dynamic analysis provides a rigorous assessment on the behavior of structures underextreme loading and has applications in structural health monitoring and performance-basedseismic engineering. Input ground motions used in nonlinear time history (NTH) simulationsmust be made compatible with a target spectrum through amplitude scaling or spectralmatching, both methods being valid procedures in ASCE 7-16. This study aims to performscaling and matching on ground motion records in the Philippines (i.e. local ground motions)and compare the maximum interstory drift ratios (IDR) they impose on a low-rise structureagainst the “statistically likely” response, modeled using NTH results of a random sample of 202unmodified ground motions from the PEER NGA-West 2 (i.e. nonlocal) database. Analysis isperformed on a 3-story plane frame model, verified by comparing its modal and nonlinearproperties with previous literature. The response prediction models show that the statisticallylikely response is influenced dominantly by the spectral acceleration at the first mode. Underthese conditions, scaled and matched local ground motions yield similar maximum IDRs. Themean spectra of a suite of 11 local ground motion records with the least scale factors applied(ranging from 1.85 to 3.81) yielded statistically likely results, regardless of the modificationmethod, contributing evidence towards the adoption of ground motion records in thePhilippines in the nonlinear dynamic analysis of low-rise structures.QUINAY, PHER ERROL B.BEATRIZ BASA-ALTURA PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN CIVIL ENGINEERINGPher Errol B. Quinay is a Professor at the Institute of Civil Engineering, University of the PhilippinesDiliman, and serves as the Head of the Structural Engineering Group and the Graduate ProgramCoordinator. He holds the Beatriz Basa-Altura Professorial Chair in Civil Engineering. He obtained hisBSCE degree from the University of the Philippines Diliman, M.Eng.CE degree from the Tokyo Institute ofTechnology, and D.Eng.CE degree from The University of Tokyo. He was an Assistant Professor at theNiigata University's Research Institute for Natural Hazards and Disaster Recovery from 2012-2016. In2016, he returned to the Philippines as a DOST-Balik Scientist awardee. In 2022, he was a VisitingResearcher at the Earthquake Research Institute, The University of Tokyo. His research is focused ondeveloping computational tools for solving high-fidelity models that arise in problems in Structural andEarthquake Engineering.77

Leaching of Refractory Gold Telluride Ore Using CholineChloride– Ethylene GlycolProcessing refractory gold telluride ores presents a major challenge in conventional cyanidationbecause gold occurs as particles locked within sulfides, restricting contact with the lixiviant, andas gold tellurides that are insoluble in cyanide. To address this, alternative lixiviants such asdeep eutectic solvents (DES) are being explored as gold ores become increasingly complex.This study investigates the leaching behavior of refractory gold telluride ore using cholinechloride–ethylene glycol, a type of DES, prepared at a 1:2 molar ratio. Leaching experimentswere conducted at varying temperatures (25 °C and 55 °C), particle sizes (37 µm and 74 µm),and durations (24, 48, and 72 hours), with a constant lixiviant-to-solid ratio of 1:10, 0.1 Miodine as oxidant, and agitation at 300 RPM. Gold concentration in the leachate was analyzedusing Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) to determine the percentage of gold dissolution.Results indicate that temperature had minimal effect on gold dissolution, suggesting thatleaching can be effectively performed at ambient temperature to minimize DES degradation.However, particle size and leaching time significantly influenced dissolution, with higher golddissolution observed for smaller particles. Gold dissolution increased over time, reaching amaximum of 48% at 48 hours, followed by a decline, emphasizing the need to optimizeleaching duration. Overall, results demonstrate that choline chloride–ethylene glycol is able toleach refractory gold telluride ores and can be an alternative to conventional cyanidationmethod.RESUELLO, JOHN ROSSMONENRIQUE AND ELENA OSTREA UP CENTENNIAL PROFESSORIAL CHAIRJohn Rossmon M. Resuello is an Assistant Professor of the Department of Mining, Metallurgical, andMaterials Engineering at the University of the Philippines Diliman, specializing in extractive metallurgy,and currently the Program Coordinator for BS Metallurgical Engineering. He holds both BS and MSdegrees in Metallurgical Engineering from UP Diliman, where his research focused on gold extraction.Before entering academia, he worked as a Process Engineer in a copper smelting and refining corporationin the Philippines, managing flash smelting and secondary smelting operations and leading initiatives onfurnace integrity, effluent compliance, and precious metals recovery.At UP DMMME, he teaches core metallurgical courses, mentors undergraduate researchers, and overseesthe mineral processing laboratory. He has contributed to several DOST- and PNRI-funded projects onsolvometallurgy, novel copper and nickel leaching systems, uranium extraction, and metal recovery fromPhilippine mineral resources.78

Measuring Ground Subsidence Rate in Bulacan and PampangaDelta using Geodetic TechniquesBased on the map produced from Sentinel-1 images using Permanent Scatterer InterferometricSynthetic Aperture Radar (PSInSAR), the Pampanga River basin is undergoing groundsubsidence. Ground measurements using geodetic techniques such as differential levelling andGlobal Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) levelling can validate the deformation map. Severalground control points (GCPs) established previously were re-occupied by GNSS receivers. Theresults indicate similar trend i.e. land subsiding. Only 3 BMs were found in Bulacan and weregiven new elevations during the levelling campaign in 2021. The differences of the old and newvalues also indicate downtrend. Six (6) low-cost GNSS monitoring stations were installed inareas where subsidence rates are high based on the SAR deformation map to monitor theongoing land subsidence. The initial results from 4 out of 6 GNSS monitoring stations for the 3-month observations showed a downtrend indicating land subsidence is occurring in the area.REYES, ROSALIE B.GEOTECHNICS PHILIPPINES, INC. PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN CIVIL ENGINEERINGDr. Rosalie B. Reyes is a fulltime Professor in the Department of Geodetic Engineering of the University ofthe Philippines in Diliman. She is the head of the Geo+ Space technology Applications (Geo+SA)Laboratory. She served the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) for 23 yearsbefore joining the University of the Philippines in 2014. She was also the former Director of the NationalGraduate School of Engineering (NGSE) and Deputy Executive Director of the National EngineeringCenter. She did her post-doctoral studies specializing in Geodesy and Microwave Remote Sensing inDenmark Technical University and Yamaguchi University, respectively. Her research interests includeGeodesy, Satellite Positioning and Remote Sensing.79

Investigation of the Compostability of Bio-based Alternativesto Conventional Plastic FoodwareThe development of bio-based alternatives to plastic products, along with proper end-of-lifetreatment through composting, is seen as a potential solution to address the increasingprevalence of plastic waste in the environment. While commercially available bio-basedalternatives in the local market are frequently advertised as compostable, only limited studieshave validated this. This study aimed to assess the compostability of bio-based foodwares,specifically bagasse and cornstarch plates, using existing international and national standardsfor material disintegration, level of biodegradation, and quality of the resulting compost mix.Based on the assessment criteria, cornstarch plates may not be suitable for composting or maynecessitate a longer duration to decompose in such environments. Bagasse plates, conversely,disintegrated and degraded well after eight weeks. However, for the resulting compost to beeffectively utilized as fertilizer, the initial mix should be adjusted to incorporate a higher carboncontent to ensure the required total C:N ratio for soil amendments is met. This study concludesthat bio-based foodware available in the market are not always suitable for home composting,and proper end-of-life treatment for each type should be further investigated. It alsounderscores the need to establish regulations to govern the commercialization of theseproducts, thereby preventing false or misleading claims of compostability and ensuringappropriate treatment protocols are followed after their use.SADIE, NORIZA T.DATEM & ACES PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGNoriza T. Sadie is an Assistant Professor of the Institute of Civil Engineering, University of the PhilippinesDiliman. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering and Master of Science degreein Environmental Engineering from the same university. Asst. Prof. Sadie has actively carried out researchand consulting activities in the areas of solid waste management, rainwater harvesting, mapping, anddisaster risk reduction and management. To advance her learning, she participated in training courseswith organizations and universities abroad, including the Kompost & Biogas Verband and First Zero Waste& Organic Cycle Organisation, University of Texas at Arlington, Tohoku University, and UniversityTeknologi Malaysia. These trainings expanded her knowledge in the fields of bio-waste, wastemanagement, environmental assessment, drrm, and the management of technology.80

Image Recognition and Classification of Disaster Risk andReduction Management (DRRM) Critical Facilities in thePhilippines for Geospatial Data MaintenanceDisaster Risk and Reduction Management activities rely on accurate and timely informationabout the location and condition of critical facilities such has hospitals, police stations, firestations, schools, potential evacuation areas and other government facilities. While trainedclassification frameworks have been created in other countries, it was found that these modelsdo not work as accurately in the context of Philippine facilities – mainly due to differences ininfrastructure design across countries. In this study, a neural-network based classifier wasdeveloped and trained and validated to identify critical facilities in the Philippines using streetlevel images. The resulting system is evaluated and compared with existing models. Aframework is then proposed for a system that can be used to create datasets for updatinggeospatial data sources. This resulting framework offers a scalable tool for local governmentunits to make strategic and operational decisions in DRRM response.SONDAY, CARLO ANGELO A.UP INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PROFESSORIAL CHAIR ININDUSTRIAL ENGINEERINGCarlo Angelo A. Sonday is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering andOperations Research, from which he also obtained his BS IE and MS IE degrees. His expertise includesinformation and analytics systems. He is an active resource speaker at the National Engineering Center,providing trainings in Business Analytics. His areas of research and interests include Predictive Analytics,Machine Learning, Mathematical Modelling, and Discrete Event Simulation.81

Revisiting Flood Management Master Planning in thePhilippinesThere is a need for a comprehensive flood risk assessment of all major and minor river basinsin the country. The recent debacle involving government flood control projects highlighted theneed to seriously revisit the implementation of the nationwide program on river basin floodcontrol master plans. This paper presents the methodology for the preparation of a flood controlmaster plan and the technical requirements in order to aid in the preparation of coordinated andunified master plan that will not only address the most pressing needs but be agile to reflectemerging challenges such as climate variability. Case studies will be presented and analyzed forthe purpose of identifying good practices and notable examples of good master planning. Thepaper will focus on the engineering and technical aspects on hydrology and hydraulics as wellas the principles on integrated water resources management and will not deal with the socialand political aspects of flood control. The paper aims to provide useful information for anevidenced based approach towards planning and management of flood control and relatedprojects and will recommend possible project monitoring indicators to assess the effectivity andaccuracy of proposed and existing projects.SORIANO, ROBERTO S.DR. LEONARDO Q. LIONGSON PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN HYDRO ENGINEERINGDr. Soriano earned his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of New SouthWales, Australia in 2004. He received his Master of Engineering degree from the Asian Institute ofTechnology, Thailand in 1985 and his BS Agricultural Engineering degree from the University of thePhilippines at Los Banos in 1983. Dr. Soriano joined the University of the Philippines Institute of CivilEngineering (ICE) in 2013. He served as the Head of the Water Resources and Coastal EngineeringGroup of ICE, Director of the National Hydraulic Research Center and member of the National WaterResources Board from 2015 to 2022.82

Multi-Hazard Vulnerability Assessment in the Philippines:Evaluating Aggregation Approaches and Identifying FutureDirectionsThe Philippines' susceptibility to diverse natural hazards underscores the need for acomprehensive multi-hazard vulnerability assessment framework. However, local studies havelargely been limited to isolated hazard assessments, leaving a critical gap in aggregatingvulnerabilities across multiple hazards. This study bridges this gap by evaluating variousaggregation approaches for multi-hazard vulnerability assessments, with a focus on theirapplicability and data requirements in the Philippine context. By identifying the most viableapproach and necessary resources, this research aims to enhance multi-hazard vulnerabilityassessment and inform future research directions, database development, and disaster riskreduction strategies in the Philippines.TAN, LIEZL RAISSA E.CIRIACO CORPORATION PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN CIVIL ENGINEERINGAssistant Professor Liezl Raissa Tan | University of the Philippines Institute of Civil Engineering12-year veteran faculty member, Structural Engineering GroupExpertise: Disaster Risk Reduction Management; Multi-Hazard Resilience; Research Focus: StructuralVulnerability Assessment (earthquake, severe wind, storm surge)Specializations: Load modeling and computational fluid dynamics; Nonlinear structural analysis andsimulation; Reliability-based failure assessment; Probabilistic resistance capacity characterizationProfessional Experience:Team Leader (MH-IBF-EWS Obj 1.7); Research Project Staff(GMMA-RAP; RCAsT); structural damageassessments and rapid visual inspections; Disaster response and recovery efforts; Construction ProjectManagement (Quantus Business Inc.)83

Technical Evaluation of Seven Pilot Programs to AddressPlastic Waste Leakage in Manila CityThe Plastic Smart Cities – TV Aksjonen (PSC-TVA) initiative of World Wide Fund for Nature(WWF) in the City of Manila aims to reduce plastic leakage into the open environment by 30%in the near term and achieve no plastics in nature by 2030. As part of the initiative, seven pilotprograms that encompass a spectrum of measures, such as engaging the business sector,optimizing at-source waste collection, enhancing the capacity of existing MRFs, and promotingproduct reuse, were given support by the WWF and were technically evaluated to assess theirinitial contribution to WWF’s initiative and determine possible improvements to meet WWF’sobjective.TANCHULING, MARIA ANTONIAALEJANDRO MELCHOR PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGDr. Maria Antonia Tanchuling is the former UP ICE director and current Dean of UPD College ofEngineering , and her passion in tackling our country's problem on solid waste management, plasticwaste management, including microplastics.84

Advances in Machine Learning Applicationsin Structural EngineeringRecent advancements in computing power, coupled with developments in computer science,data science, and engineering, have greatly accelerated the application of machine learning(ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) into various fields of science and engineering. This paperreviews recent progress in the application of ML techniques to structural engineering. Itpresents studies conducted by undergraduate and graduate researchers at StructuralEngineering Group at the UP Institute of Civil Engineering, alongside relevant works fromaround the world. A substantial work focused on the design and analysis of reinforced concrete(RC) buildings, particularly on the development of ML models for the automated design ofregular low-rise RC structures and predictive models for earthquake damage assessment andseismic retrofitting. Finally, the paper outlines prospective research directions and potentialapplications for future exploration by students and researchers in the field.TINGATINGA, ERIC AUGUSTUS J.DMCI PROJECT DEVELOPERS PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERING (2)Eric Augustus J. Tingatinga is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the UP Diliman Institute of CivilEngineering (UP-ICE), where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Structural Analysis,Structural Dynamics, and Computational Methods in Civil Engineering. His research interests includestructural dynamics; earthquake and wind vulnerability assessment of buildings; and analysis and designagainst blast loading. Dr. Tingatinga has been involved in projects with PHIVOLCS and PAGASA,contributing to the proposed building typology for the Philippines (2010) and the development ofearthquake (2013) and wind (2022) vulnerability functions for these building types. More recently, heworked on a DPWH project (2020-2023) using nonlinear analysis for the seismic retrofitting of publicbuildings.He earned his MS in Civil Engineering from Saitama University (2001–2003) under an ADB scholarship,and his PhD in Civil Engineering (2005–2008) at the same institution through a Monbukagakushoscholarship.85

Evaluating the robustness of Bayesian flood mapping withSentinel-1 data: A multi-event validation studyThe impact of recent extreme flood events has once again highlighted the importance ofaccurate near-real-time flood information. Consequently, a number of operational services havebeen established that primarily use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data to map flood extent.Among them is the Global Flood Monitoring (GFM) service that is part of the CopernicusEmergency Management Service (CEMS). Using the systematic monitoring capabilities ofSentinel-1, it is the first service to deliver flood maps fully automatic on a global scale. Toautomatically and reliably monitor flood extent worldwide, the strengths and weaknesses offlood mapping methods need to be known under various and sometimes challengingconditions. To examine the performance of the TU Wien Bayesian flood mapping algorithm,which is one of the scientific flood algorithms used operationally in the CEMS GFM service, wedesigned this validation study in which we compare our results with all compatible Sentinel-1-based flood events of the CEMS on-demand mapping (ODM) service between January 2021and January 2022. In total, the study investigates 18 events from five continents. In addition tocomputing common accuracy metrics, eight representative events were analysed in detail tounderstand the reasons for the differences found, identify potential improvements for themethod, and gain generic insights for radar-based flood mapping. Most differences are causedby the use of the VH polarization in some of the ODM reference maps, while the GFM serviceso far relies exclusively on VV polarization due to computational costs. The impact of using twopolarizations can be seen in particular over vegetation or in case of windy conditions.Furthermore, while the post-processing strategy applied in the TU Wien algorithm helps toprevent speckle impact, it also smooths out important details in small-scale flood events.Nonetheless, the automatic TU Wien algorithm achieved a Critical Success Index (CSI) of over70% against the semi-automatic reference in 10 of 18 flood events. It exceeds this mark for alllarge-scale events and in cases without vegetation close to the flooded surfaces. Overall, themedian User’s Accuracy (UA) is 84.0 %, the Producer’s Accuracy (PA) is 72.9% and the OverallAccuracy (OA) is 85.3%. The results demonstrate that the GFM service would benefit for usingboth VV and VH polarization and relaxing filters applied in the SAR processing workflow.TUPAS, MARK EDWIN A.ART AND ESMYRNA JORGE PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGMark Edwin Tupas is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geodetic Engineering at the Universityof the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. He specializes in remote sensing, spatial databases, andprogramming for geospatial applications. Mark obtained his bachelor's degree in 2007 and his master'sdegree in Remote Sensing in 2012 from the same university. He received his Doctor of TechnicalSciences (Dr.techn.) degree from TU Wien in Vienna, Austria, where his research focused on improvingglobal near-real-time flood mapping using Synthetic Aperture Radar data cubes, which has contributed tothe first-of-its-kind Global Flood Monitoring system from the Copernicus Emergency ManagementService. His research utilizes large geospatial data holdings, satellite data cubes, and open-sourcetechnologies for applications in water, hydrology, and DRR. Notably, he served as the Project Leader forthe Archiving and Distribution of the Phl-Microsat and Phil-Lidar1 programs. And was a core member ofthe National SPACE Development Program.86

Prime OD-Networks Underlying Optimal Traffic AssignmentWe introduce a novel method for breaking down traffic networks into smaller, structurallyfundamental subnetworks called prime OD subnetworks (PODs). Each POD captures selfcontained routes between origin-destination pairs, forming a natural and logical unit for trafficflow analysis and optimization. This approach leads to a structured way to view large networks,balancing interpretability and computational efficiency. We show how any directed acyclicnetwork can be recursively divided into these fundamental units, each of which supportslocalized flow optimization. We present the formalism of sPODs, an efficient algorithm foridentifying them, and demonstrate the new framework on synthetic networks. Theimplementation indicates that sPODs provide a potential framework for improving the tractabilityand interpretation of routing patterns in traffic networks.VALDEZ, ADRIAN ROY L.STEPHEN D. SY PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGDr. Adrian Roy L. Valdez is a professor in the Department of Computer Science with a background inmathematics. His research focuses on applying mathematical principles to understand and controlcomplex systems. He is the founding head of the Scientific Computing Laboratory and a research fellowat the Intelligent Transportation Systems Laboratory of the National Center for Transportation Studies.Dr. Valdez currently serves as the Coordinator for the Ph.D. Program in Data Science at the College ofEngineering. He is also an affiliate faculty member of the college's Environmental Engineering andArtificial Intelligence programs.He recently led the Philippine Road Safety Initiatives (PROSAFETI) Research Program, a multi-institutionaleffort funded by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, andEmerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD). The program comprised six researchprojects from four universities, leveraging ICT to enhance road safety.87

Rapid Field Survey Damage Assessment of the 2024 TyphoonMan-yi (Pepito) in Aurora, PhilippinesOn 17 November 2024, Super Typhoon Man-yi (local name: Pepito), the third tropical cycloneto make landfall in the Philippines that month, impacted the northern region of the country withmaximum sustained winds of 195 km/h and a minimum central pressure of 920 hPa. Forecastsprior to landfall indicated storm surges of 2.1 to 3.0 m along the Aurora coastline; however, nopost-event storm surge measurements were reported despite extensive documentation ofdamages. To address this gap, a research team from the University of the Philippines Institute ofCivil Engineering (UP ICE) conducted a rapid field survey on 2 December 2024. Fieldmeasurements based on watermarks and interviews confirmed storm surge inundation heightsexceeding 3.0 m at three sites in Dipaculao. Simultaneous ground and aerial droneassessments documented beach erosion and significant impacts on structures near the coast,including a resort located approximately 20 m from the shoreline. The survey was furthersupported by a preliminary typhoon simulation using the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model with slight discrepancies to observed data. The combined application of rapidaerial drone surveys, ground-based field measurements, and numerical typhoon modellingfacilitated a comprehensive spatial characterization of both localized and widespread coastalimpacts in Dipaculao.VALDEZ, JUSTIN JOSEPH P.FELIX M. GONZALEZ PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGDr. Justin Joseph Valdez is an Assistant Professor in the Water Resources and Coastal Engineering Groupof the Institute of Civil Engineering, University of the Philippines Diliman. He obtained his Bachelor ofScience in Civil Engineering from the same university in 2010. For his graduate studies, he joined theShibayama Laboratory at Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan, where he completed his Master ofEngineering in 2019 and Doctor of Engineering in 2023. His academic journey was supported by theJapan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Innovative Asia Program and the Ministry of Education,Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) scholarships. Dr. Valdez’s research interests focus onthe numerical simulation of storm surges, with applications to coastal hazard assessment. He has activelyparticipated in coastal field surveys in the Philippines and Japan, integrating empirical observations withcomputational modeling to advance knowledge in coastal engineering and disaster risk reduction.88

Analyzing Urban Visual Environments through Spatial Patternsof Color from Street View ImageryUrban environments are experienced not only through their density, land use, and spatial layoutbut also through their visual character. Color, for instance, is a prominent feature of façades andstreetscapes, affecting the perception, memory, and value of cities. Nevertheless, despite itssignificance, widespread patterns of urban color have been understudied, and their relationshipwith urban function has rarely been systematically explored. This study provides a methodologycombining street-view imagery, deep learning-based semantic segmentation, and perceptualcolor indices to evaluate façade colors in Quezon City, Philippines. From 42,942 Google StreetView images, façades were segmented with the SegFormer model, and four indices—vibrancy,harmony, tone balance, and entropy—were computed to capture complementary dimensions ofvisual character. The results show clear functional signatures: commercial areas are marked byhigh vibrancy and entropy, residential areas show higher harmony, institutional complexes showhomogeneous color schemes, and industrial parks show muted tones. Road types also showvariation, with trunk and tertiary roads showing visual diversity, while motorways and serviceroads show homogeneity. Furthermore, hotspot analysis shows contrasts between informalsettlements, upscale subdivisions, and industrial corridors. These results demonstrate that colorprovides valuable information on the interdependence of visual character and urban function. Byplacing color in the position of a quantifiable dimension of urban form, the study highlights itsability to inform planning and design policies to support livable, unique, and sustainable urbanenvironments.VERGARA, KARL ADRIAN P.DOMINGO TOLEDO PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGKarl Adrian P. Vergara is an Assistant Professor at the UP Diliman Department of Geodetic Engineering.He holds an MS in Geomatics Engineering and a BS in Geodetic Engineering. His research focuses onurban analytics, agent-based modeling, human mobility, and geospatial computation.He has contributed to externally funded initiatives on smart cities, urban systems modeling, andenvironmental applications. He has delivered GIS, remote sensing, and photogrammetry trainings forPSA, PAF, DILG, NAMRIA, and various LGUs and SUCs, and has participated in international geospatialprograms in Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Indonesia.He received the Limcaoco Young Instructor Award for Teaching Excellence (2019, 2023) and theOutstanding Engineering Instructor Award (2020). He also serves in administrative capacities as AssistantCollege Secretary and Quality Assurance Officer at the UP College of Engineering. His combined work inresearch, instruction, training, and service supports the continuing advancement of geospatial practiceand education in the University. 89

Improving Water, Improving Water,Health, and Food Health, and FoodTHEME 0390

CFD Analysis on the Dispersion of Volatile Organic Compoundsin Small-Scale Shoe Production Towards Improvement ofIndoor Air QualityVolatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are common indoor pollutants in small-scale shoeworkshops due to the use of solvent-based adhesives. Prolonged exposure to these substancesposes health risks, including respiratory and neurological effects. Many workshops in thePhilippines operate with limited ventilation and insufficient understanding of proper air qualitystandards, highlighting the need for evaluation and improvement. This study employsComputational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyze the dispersion of Total Volatile OrganicCompounds (TVOCs) within a small shoe workshop in Marikina City. The simulation replicatesthe workshop environment and tests modifications aimed at improving indoor air quality. Thebase ventilation model revealed high toluene concentrations near emission sources and in areaswith poor airflow, placing workers in those zones at risk. Two fan repositioning modificationswere evaluated; while some workers experienced reduced exposure, elevated concentrationspersisted near others. The study confirmed that toluene vapor, being denser than air, tends tosettle near the ground, increasing exposure risk at breathing height. Based on these findings, anew workshop layout with adjusted worker positions was proposed to reduce exposure.ABUAN, BINOE E.H.B. REYES MECHANICAL ENGINEERING CENTENNIAL PROFESSORIAL CHAIRDr. Binoe E. Abuan is a Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, UP Diliman and he hasbeen serving as a faculty member since June 2013. He finished his doctorate degree from the Universityof Sheffield in 2017. His research interest is on Fluid Dynamics and Renewable Energy Systems like Windand Tidal Turbines. He is currently looking at Offshore Wind and Tidal Energy Systems, Indoor Air Quality,and Fluid Dynamics Application in the Medical Field.91

Compositional Data Analysis Based on UnsupervisedClustering of Functional Redundancy of Epitope Data toEnhance Discoverability of Target-Binding Peptide Motifs fromHigh-Throughput Sequencing of Panned Phage DisplayLibrariesPhage display is a well-established platform for exploring and engineering protein-ligandinteractions with applications in medicine, biotechnology, and nanotechnology. The integrationof high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has transformed phage display by enabling deep profilingof entire phage pools, offering comprehensive insights into a phage library’s diversity andselection dynamics. However, the large quantity and complexity of HTS data pose analyticalchallenges, particularly in identifying true target-binding sequences from non-specific ones. Toaddress this, an alternative computational pipeline was developed that incorporates two novelapproaches: (a) clustering based on Functional Redundancy of Epitope Data to groupfunctionally similar sequences, and (b) differential abundance analysis using ALDEx2, whichimplements compositional data analysis to identify significantly differentially abundant clusters.The pipeline was applied to three datasets: (1) Fyn SH2, (2) PHASTpep, and (3) Canine PD-1, toexemplify its capability in discovering target-binding peptide motifs by comparing its resultswith identified binders or motifs reported in the literature. It captured 20 out of 22experimentally verified reported binders in Fyn SH2, identified four cluster chain IDs containinga total of 45 HPQ-containing sequences known to bind Streptavidin in PHASTpep, and detectedsequences that align with reported putative epitopes in Canine PD-1. Moreover, the comparisonof the analysis on ALDEx2 with and without FRED clustering revealed the benefit of FREDclustering in uncovering patterns obfuscated by the volume of data generated by HTS. Theseresults highlight the effectiveness of the pipeline in discovering target-binding peptide motifsand demonstrate its potential as a valuable tool for phage display HTS data analysis, with theability to enhance current computational workflows and contribute to advances in thebioinformatics community.ADOLACION, JAY R T.LEOPOLDO DE OCAMPO PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGJay R Adolacion is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University ofthe Philippines Diliman. He earned his PhD in Chemical Engineering from the University of Houston in2019, focusing on immunotherapy and molecular diagnostics. His research includes phage display libraryprofiling, RNA analyses, and targeted metagenomics. Jay has guided students in phage propagation andexplores their applications in biotechnology. Recently, he has also engaged in traditional chemicalengineering topics like distillation and separations. As the pilot plant manager, he oversees undergraduatelaboratory courses. In his free time, Jay enjoys choral singing and can bend his little finger while keepingthe others straight.92

Synthesis of CoxZn -xFe O @Faujasite by Incipient WetnessImpregnation for Metronidazole Degradation in AqueousSolutions via Heterogeneous Activation of Peroxymonosulfate1 2 4Antibiotics are considered as emerging substances of concern that permeate today’s aquaticsystems. They pass through conventional wastewater treatment methods due to their polarityand high solubility. Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) are a promising set of technologiescapable of converting these recalcitrants into environmentally benign by-products by generatingreactive oxygen species (ROS). The use of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) as ROS source for AOPshas been gaining traction due to its high reactivity and preference towards organics. Previousstudies explored the use of cobalt-containing materials as heterogeneous catalysts in PMSactivation for AOPs.In this study, faujasite-supported cobalt-zinc ferrite catalyst (Co Zn Fe O @Faujasite or FSCZF)was synthesized using incipient wetness impregnation. FSCZF was used as a catalyst to activatePMS, generate ROS, and degrade metronidazole (MTZ), one of the most commonly prescribedantibiotics worldwide. Through parametric studies, the best degradation results for MTZ removalwere obtained at a Co-Zn ratio of 0.2, FSCZF loading of 0.2 g/L, PMS dosage of 2 mM, and pHof ≈5.8, where 96.98% removal of MTZ was achieved in 60 minutes. This indicates that FSCZFcan effectively activate PMS for the mineralization of MTZ. Radical quenching studies revealedthat the primary ROS responsible for degradation can be ranked as follows: singlet oxygen ( O )> electron holes (h ) > sulfate radicals (SO ). These results provide insights on the mechanismof PMS activation using zeolite-supported cobalt-based catalysts and can pave the way for thedevelopment of similar, novel materials as catalysts in AOP applications.x 1-x 2 412+4•−BAYNOSA, MARJORIE L.CHUA LIONG AND LORETA DY CHUA PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGMarjorie \"Marj\" L. Baynosa is a Professor and the current Chair of the Department of ChemicalEngineering at the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman. She earned her BS and MS in ChemicalEngineering from UP Diliman and her PhD in Chemical Engineering from Yeungnam University in SouthKorea. Her research focuses on catalysis, photocatalysis, environmental remediation, and advancedmaterials for water and wastewater treatment, contributing to sustainable engineering solutions. She hasan h-index of 15, reflecting her growing impact in research.Over the past four years, Marj has served as an active officer of the Philippine Institute of ChemicalEngineers – Metro Manila Academe Chapter (PIChE‑MMAC) and was recently elected President. Throughher teaching, mentorship, research, and professional leadership, she continues to advance chemicalengineering education and practice in the Philippines.93

Development of Thyme Oil-Based Nanostructured LipidCarriers for Encapsulation of Capsicum OleoresinCapsicum oleoresin (CO) is a capsaicin-rich extract that is widely used for the topical pain reliefof neuropathic pain, but it may cause adverse skin reactions such as burning, itching, andredness when applied at effective topical concentrations [1]. To address this issue, thyme oilbased nanostructured lipid carriers (ThO-NLC) were developed as delivery systems forcapsicum oleoresin [2]. NLCs with varying thyme oil (ThO) and surfactant (Polysorbate 80)contents were prepared through emulsification at 1,150 rpm, high-shear homogenization at11,300 rpm [2], and centrifugation at 4,000 rpm. The capsicum oleoresin encapsulated inthyme oil-based nanostructured lipid carriers (CO@ThO-NLC) were characterized for particlesize, stability, capsaicin loading and release profile. The CO@ThO NLCs exhibited particle sizesranging from 190 – 315 nm with a polydispersity index around 0.38 as measured usingdynamic light scattering. The zeta potentials exceeded ± 30 mV which confirmed electrostaticstability. Confocal laser scanning microscopy revealed a spherical morphology for the NLCs.The 10%ThO/12%PS80 demonstrated the highest entrapment efficiency (77%) and loadingcapacity (0.76%) of capsaicin, suggesting that lower ThO content enhances capsaicinincorporation [3]. The thyme oil-based NLC exhibited a sustained release of capsaicin over 6hours, following a controlled release profile compared with CO. These findings highlight thymeoil-based nanostructured lipid carriers as promising encapsulation for capsicum oleoresin withpotential application in topical pain management formulations.BUTALID, ROGEL JAN B.BENGUET CORPORATION PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGRogel Jan Butalid is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and MaterialsEngineering specializing in materials synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials and thin films forenergy and environmental applications. His research interests include photocatalysis, piezoelectricity, andproduct development. He holds a BS in Materials Engineering, an MS in Materials Science andEngineering, and is currently completing his PhD in Energy Engineering at the University of thePhilippines Diliman. He teaches courses in device microfabrication, product development, and materialscharacterization while also actively mentoring undergraduate students in their thesis and design projects.Rogel also contributes to externally funded research projects focused on lithium-ion batteries, fuel cells,energy harvesters, and sensor technologies. He previously led a community extension project whichsupported a local eco-store cooperative in developing their own bioplastic-based packaging.94

Analysis of Standing vs. Seated Work Set-Up and effect ofWork Surface Height in a Light Assembly TaskMonotonous tasks and awkward posture such as those jobs in an assembly line exposes theemployees to musculoskeletal disorders (MSD’s) including fatigue and pain. These can hinderthe productivity of employees and have a negative impact to their health and well-being. Thus, aproper work set-up is needed to prevent, if not, reduce the risk of MSD’s. This study comparesthe time and perceived exertion in a light assembly task when performed while standing orseating. In addition, the effect of working surface height was also evaluated. Light assembly taskwas replicated through performance of the assembly task of the Purdue Pegboard Test. The timeit took to perform 20 assemblies and the corresponding Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion(RPE) of the participants were collected. The study found no significant difference in theduration of performing the assembly task between a standing work or seated work. However,performing at a standing elbow height (with table riser) was significantly faster than performingthe task below the standing elbow height (without table riser). In addition, perceived exertion issignificantly higher in standing work without the use of table riser. This result supports theimportance of working surface height in increasing the productivity and reducing perceivedexertion in light assembly task. Working surface at elbow height is recommended.CUSTODIO, BENETTE P.DR. MARIA AURA TEODORA C. MATIAS DIEOR GOLDEN JUBILEE PROFESSORIALCHAIR IN HUMAN FACTORS AND ERGONOMICSBenette Custodio is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and OperationsResearch. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Industrial Engineering, withspecialization in Ergonomics, from the University of the Philippines. She has been teaching in the IEDepartment since 2010 and currently works under the Human Factors and Ergonomics Laboratory. Herresearch interests include work study and measurement, ergonomics, and user-centered design. She hasbeen involved in projects and consulting works on productivity, time and motion studies, life cycleassessment, office ergonomics, ergonomic assessment, and usability evaluation.95

Cross Solvent–Antisolvent Co-crystallization ofAcetaminophen and Zinc Sulfate toward Direct CompressionSuitability.A cross solvent–antisolvent co-crystallization method, exploiting the contrasting solubilities ofacetaminophen (APAP) and zinc sulfate in ethanol and water, produced a co-crystal suitable fordirect compression. The resulting crystals exhibited rod-like morphologies with rough,agglomerated surfaces—features intermediate between those of the parent compounds andindicative of a new crystalline phase. Spectroscopic and diffraction analyses supported theseobservations, confirming distinct intermolecular interactions between APAP and zinc sulfate. Thealtered crystal habit improved bulk powder performance, as reflected by a lower angle of repose(59.04 ± 0.38° → 42.66 ± 1.40°) and a modest reduction in compressibility index (34.44 ±1.47 → 32.72 ± 3.63). The co-crystals could be directly compressed into intact tablets withoutcapping, demonstrating improved mechanical integrity. This work establishes cross solvent–antisolvent co crystallization as an effective strategy for enhancing the manufacturability ofpoorly compressible and combination drugs.DELA CRUZ, ISAAC JEROME C.MARITHE GIRBAUD PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGDr. Isaac Jerome Dela Cruz is an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of thePhilippines Diliman, serving as Assistant Chair and Head of the Chemical Engineering AnalyticalLaboratory (CEAL). His research focuses on surface and nanoscale engineering as applied topharmaceutical crystallization, with extensions to sustainable technologies and scientific studies oftraditional materials such as asin tibuok. Dr. Dela Cruz integrates chemical engineering withadvancements in nanoscale science and pharmaceutical applications through interdisciplinarycollaboration.96

Photodegradation of Methylene Blue Dye from SyntheticWastewater using Natural Hematite as a CatalystThe present work investigated the use of natural hematite (NH) as a photocatalyst for thedegradation and removal of methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions under UV-Cirradiation. Scanning electron microscopy was used to determine the surface morphology ofNH. Batch experiments were performed to assess the effect of contact time, catalyst dosage, andpH on the photodegradation efficiency. The degradation efficiency of MB dye using UV, NH,NH+UV, NH+ H2O2, NH+UV+H2O2 was determined to be 6.24%, 23.73%, 66.14% and 100%,respectively. As the contact time and NH dosage was increased, an excellent removal rate of99.7% at 3.5 g for 120 min under UV light irradiation was attained. Results of the kinetic studyshow the first-order model (R2 = 0.971) can best describe the photocatalytic degradation of MBdye using NH under UV-C irradiation. Overall, this study shows the potential of NH as a costeffective and sustainable photocatalyst for wastewater treatment.FUTALAN, CYBELLE CONCEPCION M.MAYNILAD PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERING (2)Dr. Cybelle Futalan is an Associate Professor of the Institute of Civil Engineering at the University of thePhilippines Diliman. She is also the current program coordinator of the Environmental EngineeringGraduate Program. Her field of specialization include water and soil quality monitoring and assessment,environmental impact assessment, process optimization, and water and wastewater treatmenttechnologies. She has been involved in projects and consultation works on wastewater management forsustainable tourism, salt water intrusion modelling, soil and water quality monitoring and assessment,and environmental impact assessment of hotels and resorts.97

Using Multiscale Molecular Modeling to Analyze PossibleNS2b-NS3 Protease Inhibitors from Philippine Medicinal PlantsWithin the field of Philippine folkloric medicine, the utilization of indigenous plants likeEuphorbia hirta (tawa-tawa), Carica papaya (papaya), and Psidium guajava (guava) as potentialdengue remedies has gained attention. Yet, limited research exists on their comprehensiveeffects, particularly their anti-dengue activity. This study screened 2944 phytochemicals fromvarious Philippine plants for anti-dengue activity. Absorption, distribution, metabolism,excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) profiling provided 1265 compounds demonstratingpharmacokinetic profiles suitable for human use. Molecular docking targeting the dengue virusNS2b-NS3 protease’s catalytic triad (Asp 75, Ser 135, and His 51) identified ten ligands withhigher docking scores than reference compounds idelalisib and nintedanib. Molecular dynamicssimulations confirmed the stability of eight of these ligand–protease complexes. MolecularMechanics/Poisson–Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) analysis highlighted six ligands,including veramiline (−80.682 kJ/mol), cyclobranol (−70.943 kJ/mol), chlorogenin (−63.279kJ/mol), 25beta-Hydroxyverazine (−61.951 kJ/mol), etiolin (−59.923 kJ/mol), and ecliptalbine(−56.932 kJ/mol) with favorable binding energies, high oral bioavailability, and drug-likeproperties. This integration of traditional medical knowledge with advanced computational drugdiscovery methods paves new pathways for the development of treatments for dengue.GONZALES, ARTHUR III A.EDGARDO S. PACHECO PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN ENGINEERINGArthur A. Gonzales III is a professor of chemical engineering in the University of the Philippines Diliman.He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in chemical engineering from UP Diliman and his PhD inchemical engineering from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. He established theMolecular Modeling Research Laboratory in 2019 to study multi-scale molecular modeling as applied tonanomaterial analysis and design, structure-based drug discovery, and pollution capture dynamics. Hehas published numerous articles in highly reputable journals on topics such as diabetes and denguefever drugs and organic nanotubes as drug-delivery vehicles. He has also successfully advisedundergraduate, masters, and PhD students under the MMRL. He lives in Marikina City with his wife,Tosca, and their dog, Frost.98

How much engagement with a mental well-being app isenough? Examining the academic community’s use of theSAGIP appThe prevalence of mental health concerns has been increasing worldwide. The demand formental health support is growing but the available services and professionals providing care arelacking in most countries, including the Philippines. Technology-based interventions areemerging and presenting opportunities to help bridge this gap. Thousands of mobile mentalhealth apps exist today and show promise in terms of cost and access to preliminary mentalhealth support and could be used to complement professional-provided care. Previous researchproposed that sustained use of these apps is needed to benefit from them, but studies showlow uptake, usage and adherence. Engagement with the app is necessary to achieve theintended outcomes of better mental health and well-being, but the question remains, how muchand what kind of engagement is beneficial to users? This research examines the academiccommunity’s engagement with a mental health app developed for the university through a usercentered design process. This paper analyzes the data collected from the evaluation of themental well-being app, SAGIP, from a 3-month study with a 6th month follow up. Engagementpatterns of how users use the app are described, and the relationship between engagement andmeasures of mental health and well-being outcomes are reported. Design recommendations onthe app, implementation and improvement of the research are provided.GREPO-JALAO, LORELIE C.RENATO BERNALES MATIAS PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN HUMAN FACTORS ANDERGONOMICSAsst. Prof. Lorelie C. Grepo-Jalao specializes in Human Factors Engineering, particularly CognitiveErgonomics. She does research on Human-Computer Interaction, User Experience and User-centeredDesign. She is interested in understanding the dynamics and interaction between humans andtechnology, and how this shapes the human experience and behavior. She currently works on fundedresearch to develop technological interventions for mental health and well-being and on understandingstudent wellbeing and experiences in the university.She teaches both undergraduate and graduate Human Factors courses at the Department of IndustrialEngineering and Operations Research. She graduated from the University of the Philippines for her BSand MS Industrial Engineering degrees and is currently studying at the University of Wisconsin-Madisonfor PhD in Industrial and Systems Engineering.99

Simultaneous Nitrate Removal and Copper Recovery fromSimulated Copper-Nitrate Wastewater Using a Fluidized-BedHomogeneous Crystallization ReactorNitrate-rich effluents from nitric-acid-based industries and copper-containing wastewaters fromelectroplating and metal-finishing operations both present environmental and resource recoverychallenges. Conventional treatment methods typically remove these pollutants but fail to recovervaluable materials or avoid secondary waste generation. Although fluidized-bed homogeneouscrystallization (FBHC) has been widely applied for carbonate and phosphate systems, itspotential for nitrate-based crystallization remains unexplored. This study investigates thefeasibility of using an FBHC reactor to remove nitrate from synthetic copper-nitrate wastewaterwhile simultaneously recovering copper as insoluble copper nitrate crystals. In this study, FBHCwas used to treat nitrate-containing synthetic wastewater, with copper ions serving as theprecipitating species to enable concurrent nitrate and copper removal and recovery. Becausenitrates are generally soluble, operating conditions were carefully tuned to induce thecrystallization of insoluble copper nitrate compounds, specifically gerhardtite and likasite.Parametric runs varying effluent pH, molar ratio, and influent flow rate were performed todetermine the optimal reactor conditions for maximum removal and crystallization. An effluentpH of 6.5–7.0, molar ratio of 2.0, and flow rate of 15 mL-min produced the highestcrystallization and removal ratios, achieving 75–93% removal for both nitrate and copper acrossconcentrations of synthetic nitrate wastewater solution of 7.58–17.58 mM. XRD analysisconfirmed the formation of gerhardtite and likasite, while SEM revealed a crystallization pathwayinvolving fibrous nuclei formation, aggregation, and crystal growth. These findings demonstratethe first successful application of FBHC for nitrate-based crystallization, highlighting its potentialas a sustainable approach for nitrogen and copper removal and recovery from industrialwastewater.-1JEREMIAS, JAYSON SIME D.PABLITO R. HAO CHUA PROFESSORIAL CHAIR IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERINGJayson Sime Jeremias is a licensed Chemical Engineer and an Assistant Professor in the Department ofChemical Engineering at the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he also serves as the BSChemical Engineering Program Coordinator. He holds a Master of Science and a Bachelor of Science inChemical Engineering, graduating cum laude from UP Diliman. A recipient of the prestigious MECOTECO Sandwich Scholarship Program, Jayson conducted advanced research at National Chung HsingUniversity in Taiwan, focusing on innovative technologies for metal recovery and environmentalsustainability.His professional work spans teaching core chemical engineering courses, managing academic programs,and publishing peer-reviewed articles in leading journals, such as the Journal of Cleaner Production.Proficient in data analysis, research methodologies, and collaborative problem-solving, he is dedicated toleveraging scientific inquiry for practical applications and industry advancements.100