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.

The visitors included Jehan Panti-Chua, Weather Specialist II, and John Mark Dolendo, Weather Specialist II, of DOST-PAGASA; Dr. Pau Luque, postdoctoral fellow/researcher under the National Centre for Atmospheric Science WCSSP SEA-COAST Project; and Dr. Claudio Sanchez, Regional Model Evaluation and Development Scientist of the UK Met Office.

They were received by Dr. Cherry L. Ringor, Director of IESM; Dr. Rafaela Jane Delfino, Deputy Director for Academic Affairs; and faculty member Dr. Bernard Alan Racoma. During the meeting, IESM presented an overview of the Institute, while the visitors introduced the SEA-COAST Project, which aims to support the development of models for coastal hazard prediction in Southeast Asia.

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.