The Northern Samar provincial government has welcomed a comprehensive geological assessment of its rock formations, a move that could strengthen the province’s status as a site of national scientific and geologic importance.
Provincial Planning Officer Jay Keenson Acebuche announced that a team of geologists began a three-day assessment in Palapag town on March 23. The team includes experts from the National Committee on Geological Sciences, the Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) central office, and the University of the Philippines – National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS).
Leading the assessment is Dr. Allan Gil Fernando, a geologist and micropaleontologist from UP-NIGS known for his expertise in Asia, alongside MGB senior science research specialist Leopoldo Virtucio and senior geologist Edrian Tubalado.
This marks the second geological site in Northern Samar to undergo expert evaluation, following the Biri Rock Formations in the island town of Biri.
Fieldwork officially commenced in Palapag, where the town’s rock formations, long admired for their tourism potential, are now being studied for their scientific significance. The assessment team collected rock samples along the coastal road near the Palapag-Mapanas boundary, an area known for its striking coastal formations. These samples include fossiliferous limestone and calcareous siltstone.
According to Acebuche, microscopic analysis of these samples will provide insights into the ancient depositional environments of Palapag, which will contribute to a more detailed geological timeline of Northern Samar.
The findings from this assessment are expected to support the campaign for the official declaration of Biri Rock Formations and other significant sites in Northern Samar as National Geological Monuments.
Last year, Northern Samar formalized its application to have the Biri Rock Formation recognized as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark. A team has already visited the site for an initial evaluation, marking a significant step in the province’s efforts to gain international recognition for its unique geological features.