The first and lone Seismic Monitoring Network in the Ifugao province and 106th in the country is now stationed at Ifugao State University (IFSU) – Aguinaldo Campus. It occupies a 54-sq. meter lot area of IFSU Aguinaldo Campus.

Said Earthquake Sensor Station was established through the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) of the Department of Science and Technology, in partnership with IFSU.

The station was inaugurated, in celebration of the milestone, on October 21, 2020, attended by DOST-PHIVOLCS led by Mr. Arnold Melosantos, Supervising Science Research Specialist; Municipal Mayor Gaspar B. Chilagan; and IFSU personnel led by Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon and Dr. Joseph L. Ngohayon, University President and Aguinaldo Campus Executive Director, respectively.

This aims to effectively monitor the seismic activities of active earthquake generators and gather a high-resolution database for use in the generation of seismic hazard maps. It enhances the detection capacity for incoming earthquakes from nearby active faults and transmits data to PHILVOLCS Data Receiving Center.

The database results in a deeper understanding of the potential of faults which will lead to more reliable hazard maps of earthquakes for more accurate information and warning to be disseminated to the community.

The seismological station is leased for free in 25 years (renewable) based on the Memorandum of Agreement between IFSU and PHIVOLCS.

The establishment of the station is a testament to the collective efforts of DOST – PHIVOLCS, IFSU, and the Ifugao Local Government Unit to continually improve capabilities for early-warning of potential unrest, and to the unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety of Ifugao communities.

By FAITH B. NAPUDO with reports from Marie Faith Ongcoy