From left to right: PAGASA Administrator Dr Nathaniel Servando, IESM Director Dr. Cherry Ringor, PAGASA Assistant Weather Services Chief Michael Bala. Photo by Nico Mendoza
The Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology (IESM) is honored to be a recipient of the 2024 PAGASA Wind Vane Award, conferred by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA). This prestigious recognition is awarded to individuals and institutions who have made exceptional contributions to public weather disaster warnings and mitigation. This year’s PAGASA Gaward & Conferment of Wind Vane Awards was held in Novotel, Araneta City, on 21 March 2025 during the 160th National and 75th World Meteorological Day.
The citation reads as follows:
The University of the Philippines Institute of Environmental Science & Meteorology (UP-IESM) is a leading institution in the Philippines, dedicated to advancing environmental science and meteorology. Its rigorous academic programs equip students with the knowledge and practical skills needed to address global environmental challenges. UP-IESM also serves as a Regional Training Center for the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Region, offering specialized training programs and promoting regional collaboration. Its collaboration with PAGASA has strengthened its human resources, enhancing meteorologists’ ability to deliver accurate weather information. UP-IESM remains a guiding force in the Philippines’ environmental sustainability and disaster resilience efforts.
The award acknowledges IESM’s enduring commitment to advancing meteorological education, research, and service in the Philippines. As recognized World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Regional Training Centres (RTCs), both IESM and PAGASA play crucial and complementary roles in building capacity in atmospheric and environmental sciences in the country and the broader Asia-Pacific region.
Photo by Nico Mendoza
IESM and PAGASA maintain a strong academic and institutional partnership. IESM faculty regularly serve as instructors in PAGASA’s training programs, particularly the Meteorologist Training Course (MTC). Many IESM graduate students go on to join PAGASA—not only as technical staff and forecasters, but also as administrators and leaders. This academic pipeline helps ensure the continued excellence and institutional memory within the country’s national meteorological service.
IESM and PAGASA continuously collaborate on research initiatives that strengthen scientific understanding and support operational needs. These include but are not limited to an ongoing study on tropical cyclone rapid intensification in the Philippines, which explores its characteristics, impacts, and future projections; and the newly launched AI-SWaMP (Artificial Intelligence-based Sustainable Water Resources Management in the Philippines) project, which runs from December 2024 to November 2027. Through these efforts, the two institutions help bridge research and practice in support of national weather and climate resilience.
