Caraga Center for Geo-Informatics

#𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐭

We are pleased to announce the publication of CCGeo’s research entitled 𝐀 𝐒𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐫𝐛𝐚𝐧–𝐑𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭: 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐃𝐄𝐆𝐔𝐑𝐁𝐀 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟎–𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎) in the 𝐽𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝐸𝑐𝑜𝑠𝑦𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑚 𝑆𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝐸𝑐𝑜-𝐺𝑜𝑣𝑒𝑟𝑛𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 (𝐽𝐸𝑆𝐸𝐺).

This study examined how agricultural land in 𝐁𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 changed from 2010 to 2020 as urban areas continued to expand. In simple terms, the research looked at where farmland is being lost as development moves outward from the city.

The findings show that Butuan lost around 49.8 km² of agricultural land over the decade, equivalent to about 9.6% of its total agricultural land. The most significant losses were observed not only in urban areas, but especially in the rapidly developing zones between urban and rural communities. These areas remain important because they still contain substantial farmland, yet they are increasingly affected by expansion and land conversion.

The study underscores the importance of improved land-use planning and monitoring to help manage urban growth, protect agricultural land, and support long-term food security and sustainability.

Link to the paper:
https://doi.org/10.54610/jeseg.v7i2.197
Journal page:
https://journals.carsu.edu.ph/JESEG/article/view/197
PDF:
https://journals.carsu.edu.ph/JESEG/article/view/197/164

One of the CCGeo's collaborative research, MAHFA Project is looking for 1 Undergraduate Thesis Students Assistant for Remote Sensing and GIS-related Studies. Please see details in the post.

Happening now:

The Caraga Center for Geoinformatics (CCGeo), in collaboration with Far East University in South Korea, is conducting GeoVision Frontier 2026, an International Training-Seminar on AI-driven Image Processing, Computer Vision, and Remote Sensing Collaboration, bringing together participants from various institutions who are physically gathered at Caraga State University while engaging with international resource person, Professor Chul-Soo Ye, delivering expert lectures through Zoom, streamed live at the venue to facilitate collaborative learning, technical discussions, and knowledge exchange in advanced geospatial and AI-enabled technologies.

CSU to Host GeoVision Frontier 2026: International Training on AI and Image Processing

Caraga State University (CSU), through the Caraga Center for Geo-informatics (CCGeo), will host GeoVision Frontier 2026: International Training-Seminar on AI-driven Image Processing, Computer Vision, and Remote Sensing Collaboration on January 28–29, 2026. The training will be participated in by both faculty members and students, highlighting CSU’s commitment to interdisciplinary and research-oriented learning.

The two-day international training will be conducted in collaboration with Far East University (FEU) of South Korea, with resource person, Professor Chulsoo Ye, joining online, as part of the continuing academic cooperation between the two institutions. Prof. Ye, Chair of the Department of AI Computer Engineering, will serve as the primary resource person for the training.

The GeoVision Frontier 2026 was conceptualizes by Prof. Ye to introduce to the participants the fundamentals and practical applications of digital image processing, computer vision, and AI-assisted tools relevant to remote sensing and geospatial analysis. The training supports CSU’s broader initiatives in research capacity building, digital innovation, and internationalization.

🌏 2025 Cebu Earthquake: Possible Infrastructure Damage Areas

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) has released satellite-derived maps identifying areas in Cebu that may have sustained infrastructure damage following the magnitude 6.9 earthquake on 30 September 2025.

Using Sentinel-1C radar imagery acquired on 6 October 2025 (05:30 AM), PhilSA’s analysis detected ground surface changes that could indicate structural impacts.

We developed an interactive map on Google Earth Engine to visualize these possible damage zones and support ongoing post-earthquake assessment efforts.

🛰️ Explore the map here 👉 https://ee-jrsantillan.projects.earthengine.app/view/cebu-earthquake-possible-infrastructure-damage-areas

📊 Detected possible damage areas (polygons): 3,329
📏 Total area (union): approx. 1.54 km²

⚠️ Notice/Disclaimer:
The highlighted polygons indicate areas with POSSIBLE infrastructure damage derived from radar-detected ground changes. Accuracy is subject to ground validation.

The data is provided by Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) to support post-disaster operations and other non-commercial uses.

🔗 Related Resources from PhilSA:

🌐 High-resolution map & shapefiles: https://bit.ly/earthquake_20251006_s1c
🛰️ Request satellite data (DALoI): https://bit.ly/philsadaloi
ℹ️ About DALoI: https://philsa.gov.ph/daloi

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) generated maps showing areas with possible infrastructure damage in Cebu following the 6.9-magnitude earthquake.

Using Sentinel-1C satellite imagery captured on 06 October 2025 (5:30 AM), the areas were identified by analyzing changes on the ground detected through radar data. The map can be used to support post-disaster operations and other non-commercial uses.

Please be advised that the accuracy of this map is still subject to ground validation. Access the high-resolution map and shapefiles here: https://bit.ly/earthquake_20251006_s1c

You can send your satellite data requests here: bit.ly/philsadaloi, read more: philsa.gov.ph/daloi

🌍 Buildings within the 25-km Radius of the 2025 Cebu Earthquake Epicenter 🏠📍

Using Google Earth Engine, we mapped and analyzed the number and total footprint area of buildings located within a 25 km radius of the 2025 Cebu earthquake epicenter (11.136° N, 124.127° E).

📊 Preliminary Results:
🏘 ~100,900 buildings fall within the specified radius.
📐 Total building footprint area: about 611 ha (6.1 km²).
⚙️ Data Source: Google Open Buildings v3 (confidence ≥ 0.65).

This map provides an initial view of potential building exposure around the epicenter — an essential step in assessing post-earthquake impacts and guiding disaster response planning.

🔗 Explore the interactive map:
👉 https://ee-jrsantillan.projects.earthengine.app/view/cebu-earthquake---buildings-exposure-analysis

To enable the CSV export function, use the Google Earth Engine code available at https://code.earthengine.google.com/a8e65ada47d540f06a1ba368f737b4c2 (Note: Google account needed, and a project in GEE must be created.)

🛰 Built using Google Earth Engine for rapid, open, and reproducible geospatial analysis.

𝗖𝗦𝗨 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗮
Three international students from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) were welcomed to the university, marking another milestone in our pursuit of global collaboration and the first-ever academic exchange.
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: https://www.carsu.edu.ph/csu-welcomes-first-inbound.../

𝗖𝗦𝗨 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗖𝗮𝗺𝗯𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗮

Three international students from the Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) were welcomed to the university, marking another milestone in our pursuit of global collaboration and the first-ever academic exchange.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: https://www.carsu.edu.ph/csu-welcomes-first-inbound-international-students-from-cambodia/

𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓: 𝐀 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧

​And that's a wrap! The 2𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑺𝒚𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒖𝒎 𝒐𝒏 𝑮𝒆𝒐𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒉 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 (𝑮𝒆𝒐𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑴𝑺 2025), with the theme: "𝑬𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑮𝒆𝒐-𝑺𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝑻𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒊𝒏 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒍 𝑯𝒂𝒛𝒂𝒓𝒅𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑹𝒊𝒔𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑴𝒂𝒏𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕" , officially concluded on October 2, 2025. This successful second year reinforced not just our dedication, but for all professionals who were present, acknowledging the importance in advancing geospatial knowledge.

​𝐀 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩: The success of GeoSTEMS 2025 was truly a collaborative achievement. We extend our deepest gratitude to all our partners: Caraga State University, Mathematical and Statistical Computing and Research Center, CSU College of Engineering and Geosciences, CSU Department of Geodetic Engineering, CSU Department of Civil Engineering, CSU Department of Geology, GEP Caraga, ML-PREP Project, and CSU-YouthMappers. Your collective support is the engine which drove this symposium's mission and impact.

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐊𝐧𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐝𝐠𝐞: We were privileged to host a dynamic assembly of attendees, including esteemed faculty members of Caraga State University, cutting-edge researchers, and bright, motivated students. Your enthusiastic participation, insightful questions, and commitment to learning elevated the discourse and fostered meaningful, enduring connections throughout the event.

​𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞: Over the course of the symposium, our speakers delivered truly ground-breaking presentations. The core discussions emphasized the critical role of high-resolution remote sensing in rapid damage assessment, the application of spatial information sciences for developing effective early warning systems, and the necessary interdisciplinary approach required to translate geospatial data into actionable community-level policies for risk reduction.

​Thank you to everyone who contributed to making GeoSTEMS 2025 an impactful and memorable event. We look forward to continuing this crucial conversation with you in the future!

​

𝐆𝐞𝐨-𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐒 2025 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐇𝐚𝐳𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞

The 2nd Geo-Spatial Technologies for Earth Monitoring Symposium (Geo-STEMS 2025) showcased groundbreaking presentations from experts driving innovation in hazard prediction and resilience.

𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐚𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐏. 𝐀𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞, Project Leader of the ML-PREP Project, presented “Machine Learning of Physics-based Earthquake-Induced Landslide Parameters for Efficient Prediction and Warning (ML-PREP)”. He emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in integrating machine learning, geoscience, and geospatial technologies to develop scalable and data-driven landslide prediction models. His message: resilience is built through shared expertise across disciplines.

𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐫. 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐌. 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐲, 𝐌𝐒𝐜, from the Department of Geodetic Engineering, highlighted the potential of InSAR technology in her talk, “InSAR-based Detection and Analysis of Ground Deformations for Hazard Assessment and Mitigation Strategies.” She stressed InSAR’s advantage in the Philippines’ tropical climate, where radar’s ability to pe*****te clouds and monitor ground movement day or night makes it vital for early warning and disaster planning.

𝐌𝐬. 𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐲𝐥 𝐕𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚, Faculty of the Department of Geology, presented “Geospatial Analysis using Remote Sensing and GIS for Multi-Hazard Risk.” Drawing from case studies in France and Lebanon, she demonstrated how geospatial tools can map vulnerabilities and model hazard zones, underscoring the need to be proactive rather than reactive in disaster risk reduction.

Together, their talks reinforced the spirit of Geo-STEMS 2025: that resilience is built through science, innovation, and collaboration across disciplines and borders.

𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧: 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀—𝗦𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿

In a presentation titled “𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙀𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙂𝙚𝙤𝙝𝙖𝙯𝙖𝙧𝙙𝙨 𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙍𝙖𝙙𝙖𝙧,” held at the H.E.R.O. Learning Commons Activity Loft of Caraga State University, faculty, researchers, and students explored the future of geohazard monitoring in the Philippines.

Delivered by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗮, Assistant Professor at the UP National Institute of Geological Sciences, the session spotlighted the use of Satellite Radar Interferometry (InSAR) to detect ground displacement, map fault behavior, and assess earthquake risk—especially in remote and under-resourced areas.
Dr. Dianala emphasized that while earthquakes cannot be predicted, monitoring stress accumulation through satellite data allows scientists to forecast where seismic activity might occur.

“𝗪𝗲 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻… 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀… 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝘂𝗺𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗻.”

With the LInOG Project launched in March 2025, and the anticipated NISAR mission delivering 1.5 TB of open data every 12 days, the Philippines is poised to strengthen its geohazard preparedness through science and satellite innovation.

👉 Stay tuned as Geo-STEMS 2025 continues to spotlight transformative insights across geosciences, technology, engineering, mathematics, and sustainability.