As the traders and market goers bid for the last fish of the day at the Navotas Fish Port on November 21, 2022, the RPS Explorer set sail, ready for the long and arduous journey towards the last of the many voyages of what was known to be the Celebes Sea Project.

The Celebes Sea Project has seen its dusk as the five-year project reaches its culmination. Its team are both in glee and in woe. Glee as the hard work and dedication of the team is finally paying off, and woe as the team is uncertain whether they will ever be back to Celebes Sea.

Most of the team members are young blood, especially the Marine Technical Services Section (MTSS) who handles the vessel’s maintenance, and leads the geological sampling operations, led by their Section Chief, Engr. Nathanael V. Ching. The Scientific Team as well has two young blood forming part of the geophysical survey team led by their Section Chief and seasoned geologist, Mr. Crisostomo V. Masangkay who was also the Chief Scientist for the project.

The duration of the project was twenty-nine (29) days which covered the southeastern seaboard of the Philippines including Balut Islands, near the Indonesian border. This was the last leg of the project; the preceding legs having covered all other parts of the Celebes Sea.

Figure 1 MSR Team members processing samples.

This was the first time in years when MGB collaborated with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), having six (6) of their uniformed personnel joining the team – three from their Marine Environment Protection Command, and three from their Maritime Security Command.

Figure 2 MSR Team picture together with the PCG personnel who joined the trip.

The PCG Commander of the Coast Guard District Southwestern Mindanao, COMMO. MARCO ANTONIO P GINES expressed his full support to the project when the team paid a courtesy call to his office on November 24, 2022. He however exclaimed that it was unfortunate that they were invited to join and partake in the project late as they were eager to contribute and learn more, but nevertheless was glad to have been part of the team.

Figure 3 CS CV Masangkay meeting with PCG personnel during their courtesy call
at the Municipality of Sarangani, Davao Occidental.

With the warm welcome and zealous spirit of another government agency whose interests are parallel with ours, it is delightfully satisfying to know that with other projects to come, there is one brother in government service willing to lend a hand. Thus, more than the line kilometers surveyed, and the number of submarine geological samples collected, the highlight of the trip was the fruitful collaboration of two government agencies which will surely bear more fruits in the future.

As they say, “save the best for last”. Indeed, the last hoorahs always are the best, and most enjoyable. The breath-taking sights of Davao Occidental and Davao Oriental are unparalleled. Thus, as the team enjoyed the same, what was seemingly an insurmountable work load became a piece of cake. Moreover, the inspirational quote: “with every door that closes, a window opens” seemed to have manifested itself to the team. The new members of the team – the young blood – and the new found bond between MGB and PCG are the windows that opened as the door of the Celebes Sea Project closes.

By: Marine Geological Survey Division