08/11/2025
๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ป๐ผ๐๐น๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ด๐ฒ: ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐๐๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ ๐๐น๐ผ๐ ๐ง๐ต๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ด๐ต ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ, ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ช๐ฎ๐๐๐ ๐ถ๐ป ๐ ๐ฎ๐ด๐๐๐น๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฏ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฑ
As part of their journey in mastering the forces of water and weather, twenty-five (25) senior Civil Engineering students from the Mindanao State UniversityโMarawi City, under the advisory of Engr. Warda Panondi, embarked on a three-day Educational Field Trip last October 28โ30, 2025, visiting DOSTโPAGASA and AGUS 1 & 2 Hydroelectric Plantsโa learning experience that bridged the lessons of Hydraulics and Hydrology with real-world applications.
The trip began with a visit to the DOSTโPAGASA Laguindingan Station, one of the countryโs few synoptic stations. There, the students were introduced to the instruments that measure atmospheric elements such as pressure, humidity, precipitation, and temperature. A remarkable highlight was witnessing the upper-air observation balloon launch, used to gather vital data for forecasting thunderstorms and monitoring wind speed, air pressure, and humidity.
Their next destination was the DOSTโPAGASA El Salvador Station, where they were treated to a cosmic journey through the MPRSD Planetarium. The immersive tour explored the intricate workings of the solar system, celestial coordinate systems, and the stories behind the sun, moon, planets, and constellations. The experience was further enriched by discussions on Hydrological Elementsโfrom rainfall and river stages to hydrometeorological hazards, Mindanaoโs climate profile, and the fundamentals of weather forecasting. The day concluded with insights from Ms. Anianita Fortich, the Weather Services Chief of PAGASA Mindanao Regional Services Division, and a guided visit to several specialized departments of the agency.
The second day took the students closer to the marvels of engineering and energy generation at AGUS 1 and 2 Hydroelectric Power Plants in Saguiaran and Marawi, Lanao del Sur. The visit began with an overview of the plantsโ operations and the crucial role they play in Mindanaoโs power distribution network. Guided tours of the power intake, powerhouse, switchyard, and spillway gave students firsthand appreciation of the engineering precision behind hydroelectric power. Despite the pouring rain in the afternoon, their enthusiasm remained undamped, and the flow of knowledge matched only by the roaring waters of the AGUS dams themselves.
Through this field trip, the future civil engineers not only witnessed science and engineering in motion but also deepened their understanding of how hydrology and hydraulics sustain both life and progress. Indeed, MagCElakbay 2025 was not just a journey across placesโit was a voyage through the vital currents of knowledge.
