An Ilocos Norte-based university is establishing a coastal research and development (R&D) center to spearhead the development of coastal engineering and management centers that will develop technological breakthroughs and innovations to mitigate and manage coastal disasters and risks. Daniel Tapaoan Jr., Mariano Marcos State University assistant information officer, said it is all systems go for the Coastal Engineering and Management Research and Development Center (Coaster) in Region 1 (Ilocos Region) after getting approval from the Department of Science and Technology (DoST). He said the R&D center, which will be the first of its kind in the Philippines, is expected to be completed in 2024 is in cooperation with the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute in Quezon City, Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University in La Union, University of Pangasinan and University of Northern Philippines in Ilocos Sur with the support of other agencies and provincial and local government units in Region 1.

Domingo, L. C. (2021, July 10). Coastal R&D center to rise in Ilocos. The Manila Times, p. B5.