UP-IESM

28/05/2026

Meteorological Masterclass: March–April–May (MAM) Series for an insightful and timely discussion on:
“Extreme Weather During the Hot and Dry Season”
Hosted by the Philippine Meteorological Society, Inc., in partnership with the UP Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (UP-IESM) and the CLSU Atmospheric Society - ATMOS, this event brings together experts, students, professionals, and weather enthusiasts for a meaningful learning experience.

28/05/2026

21/05/2026

The Environmental Management Bureau’s Environmental Research and Laboratory Services Division (EMB-ERLSD) has deployed advanced air quality monitoring equipment at the UP Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) in Diliman, Quezon City.

The installation is part of a five-year urban air monitoring initiative launched in April 2026. It supports long-term data generation on particulate matter, persistent organic pollutants, gases, volatile organic compounds, and pollutant deposition in an urban environment influenced by vehicular emissions, fuel combustion, and other human activities.

The initiative builds on the partnership between DENR-EMB and UP IESM, formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed in March 2026, and combines EMB-ERLSD’s technical monitoring and laboratory capacity with IESM’s scientific and meteorological expertise.

Data from the monitoring site are expected to support air quality research, pollutant transport and dispersion analysis, and the development of science-based environmental management strategies.

20/05/2026

ANNOUNCEMENT: Thesis proposal schedule of Mr. Anselmo P. Quitco will be on Wednesday, 03 June 2026, 10:00 AM via Zoom. His paper is entitled "Trophic Impacts and Invasion Ecology of Black-Chinned Tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) in the Anthropized Estuarine Systems of Manila Bay using EcoPath".

Thesis Proposal Committee:
(Adviser) Dr. Benjamin M. Vallejo, Jr.
(Reader) Dr. Mudjekeewis D. Santos

Please attend. Thank you.

20/05/2026

19/05/2026

Dr. Mylene G. Cayetano of the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology was interviewed by The Guardian in a report on rising cooking gas prices, household fuel choices, and air pollution risks in Asia.

“At stake right now is the health of families,” Dr. Cayetano said, referring to the proliferation of indoor air pollution as some households turn to charcoal and other solid fuels for cooking.

Families turn to dirty fuels such as firewood, bringing fears over air pollution and fragility of energy transition

15/05/2026

RESEARCH | When marine mammals become stranded, these events can provide important information about their health, population dynamics, biodiversity, and distribution.

This study looked at the strandings of marine mammals in the Philippines over 18 years, from 2005 to 2022. It showed a total of 1,368 stranding events, averaging 76 per year. Of the 30 marine mammal species in the Philippines, 27 species have stranded along the coasts. The most common stranders are the spinner dolphins, dugong, Risso’s dolphin, Fraser’s dolphins, and melon-headed whales. Most strandings involved a single animal, and more than half of them were alive when found. The study further identified certain areas or hotspots along the Philippine coastline, found mostly in Luzon, where strandings occur more frequently. It also investigated the timing of stranding events and found peaks in certain species during specific months, such as March to May for spinner dolphins, Risso’s dolphins, and melon-headed whales.

The results of the study showed how human activities like fishing and illegal practices, along with natural factors, such as seasonal changes, contribute to strandings. Moreover, strandings can serve as an indicator of the health of marine mammal populations, particularly for vulnerable species like the Irrawaddy dolphins and dugongs.

Authors: Lemnuel V. Aragones (Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (IESM), College of Science (CS), University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman | Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Inc., IESM, CS, UP Diliman), Alessandra Nicole L. Morado (IESM, CS, UP Diliman | Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Inc., IESM, CS, UP Diliman), Marie Christine M. Obusan (Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Inc., IESM, CS, UP Diliman | Institute of Biology, CS, UP Diliman), Honey Leen M. Laggui (IESM, CS, UP Diliman | Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Inc., IESM, CS, UP Diliman), Jonah L. Bondoc (Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Inc., IESM, CS, UP Diliman | Natural Sciences Research Institute, CS, UP Diliman), Leo Jonathan A. Suarez (Philippine Marine Mammal Stranding Network Inc., IESM, CS, UP Diliman | Ocean Adventure, Ilanin Forest West, Subic Bay Freeport), and Ewen Kye Lawler (Centre for Conservation Ecology and Genomics, Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra)

Published in Aquatic Mammals

Read more: https://ovpaa.up.edu.ph/research/study-examines-where-and-when-marine-mammals-were-stranded-in-the-philippines-over-an-18-year-period/

15/05/2026

Researchers from the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), together with representatives of the Weather and Climate Science for Service Partnership (WCSSP) Southeast Asia project, visited the Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) on 14 March 2026 for a courtesy visit and exploratory meeting.

WCSSP Southeast Asia was launched in 2016 as a regional initiative to improve global and regional forecasting systems and advance understanding of high-impact weather in the region. The project includes collaborations with institutions in the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, with PAGASA listed among its partner institutions.

The 2026 visit coincides with the 10th year of WCSSP Southeast Asia and opened opportunities for further engagement between IESM and WCSSP partners in areas related to meteorology, forecasting, and coastal hazard research.

15/05/2026

Congratulations to the newly elected Board of Trustees and Officers of the Philippine Meteorological Society!

The new leadership includes members of the IESM community, including faculty, alumni, and students.

We look forward to continued collaboration across PMS, PAGASA, IESM, and colleagues from state universities and colleges in advancing meteorological science, research, education, outreach, and service in the Philippines.

The Philippine Meteorological Society proudly extends its warmest congratulations to the newly elected Board of Trustees and Officers for the 2026–2027 term! 🎉

Your dedication, passion, and commitment to advancing meteorological science and service inspire the community as we continue to promote a more weather-informed, resilient, and progressive nation.
May your leadership bring meaningful initiatives, stronger collaborations, and continued growth for the society and the meteorological profession. 🌍⛅

✨ Congratulations and best wishes for a successful term ahead!

15/05/2026