THE Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS) and the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) officially forged a partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Seismic Hazard Assessment for Design Earthquake of the Philippines (SHADE) Project on February 17, 2025 at PHIVOLCS, Quezon City.
ASEP is a recognized organization of Structural Engineers in the Philippines, known for the publications of the National Structural Code of the Philippines, and approved referral codes of the National Building Code of the Philippines.
The SHADE Project is a DOST-GIA-funded program implemented by the DOST-PHIVOLCS which aims to improve the hazard assessment and seismic designs of buildings in the Philippines by developing new methodologies for seismic hazard evaluation and producing updated seismic design spectral acceleration maps to be integrated into the National Structural Code of the Philippines, strengthening the country’s seismic design standards.
The MOU was signed by Dr. Teresito C. Bacolcol, Director of PHIVOLCS and Dr. Lessandro Estelito O. Garciano, President of ASEP. The ceremony was witnessed by SHADE Project Leader Dr. Rhommel N. Grutas and SOEPD Chief Dr. Winchelle Ian G. Sevilla from DOST-PHIVOLCS, alongside ASEP’s Vice-President Dr. Rodolfo P. Mendoza Jr., and Board of Directors Engr. Penelope V. Pantola and Engr. Francis G. Domingo.
The collaboration between DOST-PHIVOLCS and ASEP would further improve the scientific foundation for earthquake-resistant design practices in the country and would bring about a safer and seismic hazard-resilient Philippines.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the Philippine Institute of Volcano and Seismology (PHIVOLCS-DOST) Facebook Page.
