A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed between two attached agencies of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) seeking to strengthen research collaboration on the applications of nuclear science and technology in the fields of volcanology and seismology.
According to DOST, the ceremonial signing of the MOU between the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute (PNRI) and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) signaled the joint initiatives of the two DOST agencies to harmonize their efforts to address disaster risk reduction and management.
DOST stated that this is aligned with the current administration’s thrust to pursue the OneDOST4U advocacy to better improve the delivery of public service.
Under the MoU, the DOST-PNRI and DOST-PHIVOLCS will focus and venture together on projects related to the fields of geochemistry, isotopic techniques, volcanism, active faults, geothermal, and volcano-hydrothermal.
Both institutions agreed to share their respective pool of experts, resources, equipment, facilities, and other information relevant to the project.
“Through this MoU, we will be able to freely use each other’s resources to continue to answer scientific questions that both DOST-PHIVOLCS and DOST-PNRI are facing. We hope to gain knowledge, data, and information from the works that will be implemented within the scope of the MoU. Likewise, DOST-PNRI researchers are encouraged to build the capacity of DOST-PHIVOLCS researchers through shared research activities such as sample preparation, analytical works, and training,” said DOST-PHIVOLCS Director Teresito C. Bacolcol.
He added that it is a good opportunity for the returning Ph.D. and MSc graduates of DOST-PHIVOLCS to continue their research using the same analytical equipment they’ve used during their stay in the universities.
At the same time, DOST-PNRI will also benefit from the volcanologists and seismologists through the sharing of ideas they have on certain projects that DOST-PNRI researchers are working on.
Meanwhile, after the ceremonial program and signing, scientists and experts from the DOST-PNRI visited the Geochemical Laboratory located at the DOST-PHIVOLCS office in Quezon City.