Northern Samar: The Northern Samar provincial government has welcomed a comprehensive assessment of geological wonders in the province as it will strengthen the province's status as a site of national scientific and geologic importance. Northern Samar provincial planning officer Jay Keenson Acebuche, in a statement Tuesday, said a team of geologists started their three-day assessment of rock formations in Palapag town on March 23.

According to Philippines News Agency, the team is composed of geologists from the National Committee on Geological Sciences, Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) central office, and the University of the Philippines - National Institute of Geological Sciences (UP-NIGS). They are led by Dr. Allan Gil Fernando, a geologist and micropaleontologist from UP-NIGS known for his expertise in the field across Asia, alongside Leopoldo Virtucio (senior science research specialist) and Edrian Tubalado (senior geologist) of the MGB main office.

This is the second site in Northern Samar assessed by experts after Biri rock formations in the island town of Biri. 'The fieldwork officially started in Palapag, where the historic town offers a panoramic view of the imposing rock formations. The town's geological wonders have long been of interest due to its tourism potential. But this time, it is more in-depth because of the more scientific information needed,' Acebuche said.

A few samples of rocks were collected along the coastal road near the boundary of Palapag and Mapanas town, overlooking the scenic coastal rock formations. These rocks consist of fossiliferous limestone and calcareous siltstone. 'Microscopic analysis of these rocks, when identified, will give us a glimpse of the ancient depositional environments in Palapag. This data is crucial in constructing a comprehensive geological timeline of the geology of Northern Samar,' Acebuche added.

The assessment, according to the official, will advance the campaign for the declaration of Biri Rocks and other geological wonders in the province of Northern Samar as National Geological Monuments. Last year, Northern Samar formalized its application to declare the Biri Rock Formation as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Global Geopark. A team visited the site for an initial assessment.