While Nighttime Lights (NTL) have traditionally supported reactive disaster assessment, this study uses them for proactive analysis via a tip-and-cue method—commonly used in satellite surveillance, where NTL acts as the “tip” to guide very high-resolution (VHR) cueing. We demonstrate this through the case of post-Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) impact, recovery, and population mobility in Eastern Visayas, specifically in Tacloban City, Ormoc City, and the Municipality of Palo. Monthly composites of the NASA VNP46A2 VIIRS Lunar Gap-Filled BRDF NTL (May 2013 to May 2025) were used to minimize daily variability and produce stable NTL data. Temporal tip-and-cue used percent change relative to a 6-month pre-disaster average radiance baseline at the municipal or city level, identifying key impact moments during the disaster month and at the point of lowest radiance. Recovery was tracked using a 6-month rolling average to pinpoint return to baseline, onset of sustained recovery, and current status. We generated maps at 500m spatial resolution for the identified months, flagging areas of interest based on increases or decreases in NTL. These areas then cued the examination of VHR imagery (0.3–1m; Maxar and CNES/Airbus) and were further contextualized using news reports and situational updates from the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC). Findings indicate that NTL reflected not only power outages—especially in areas with damaged infrastructure—but also broader patterns of power utilization and human activity. Key points of impact show that declines aligned with zones affected by storm surges, flooding, and windborne debris, while increases marked areas of temporary aid, shelter, or energy infrastructure such as power and fuel sources. During recovery, declines pointed to displacement driven by protective policies and structures such as no-build zones, seawalls, and modified river channels, while increases indicated resettlement and expansion, with some supported by river walls and new roads. This spatiotemporal tip-and-cue approach highlights the value of NTL—when combined with contextual information—in efficiently assessing disaster impact, recovery progress, and population mobility for long-term planning.

The study entitled “Preliminary CO₂ Flux Measurements from a Newly Installed Eddy Covariance Tower in a Rice Field in Nueva Ecija” was accepted for a poster presentation at the AsiaFlux Conference 2025, held on 20-25 October 2025 in Pangkalan Kerinchi, Riau, Indonesia, under the theme “Nature-based Solutions for Asia: From Advanced Science and Technology Practices.” In June 2025, the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), in partnership with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), installed an eddy covariance flux tower at the PhilRice Central Experiment Station in Nueva Ecija to continuously monitor carbon and energy exchanges in a tropical rice field. The study presents a preliminary analysis of the first three months of measurements, covering the wet-season transplanting and early growth stages of rice. Results from the flux tower showed clear diurnal patterns of CO₂ exchange, with daytime carbon uptake and nighttime release. Over the observation period, the rice field acted as a net carbon sink, indicating increasing carbon uptake as the canopy developed during the wet season. In addition, moderate negative correlations between CO₂ flux and Sentinel-2 NDVI suggest that satellite-derived canopy greenness can capture key aspects of field-scale carbon dynamics. As a preliminary study, these findings demonstrate the feasibility and value of continuous eddy covariance monitoring in Philippine rice systems. The study provides an important baseline for long-term greenhouse gas monitoring and supports future integration of ground-based flux measurements with satellite observations to improve carbon and methane accounting in rice agriculture.

The research was presented at the 9th Asia-Pacific Conference on Synthetic Aperture Radar (APSAR 2025), held in Matsue, Shimane, Japan on 04-10 October 2025. APSAR is a premier international event that focuses on advancing Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology and its applications, particularly within the Asia-Pacific region. The study investigates ground deformation during the early construction phase of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP), the Philippines’ first underground mass transit system. Using the Persistent Scatterer Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (PSInSAR) technique and Sentinel-1 satellite data, researchers analyzed line-of-sight (LOS) displacements from December 2022 to May 2025 along the CP101 section, including the stations of Valenzuela, Quirino, Tandang Sora, and North Avenue. Over the 30-month observation period, the analysis showed that ground motion within the tunnel influence zone and surrounding areas followed similar trends, indicating minimal subsidence or uplift overall. Pre-construction measurements revealed comparable deformation rates, suggesting that tunneling activities have not significantly affected ground stability. The results highlight that the MMSP tunnels are located within a geologically stable corridor, reducing the risk of hazardous ground movement. Furthermore, the study demonstrates the value of PSInSAR as a high-precision, long-term monitoring tool for large-scale urban infrastructure projects. Continuous observation is recommended to ensure safety as construction advances, underscoring the critical role of advanced remote sensing in promoting sustainable urban development. By sharing these findings at APSAR 2025, the research contributes to global discussions on innovative geospatial technologies for infrastructure resilience.