The 32nd Annual Conference of the Transportation Science Society of the Philippines (TSSP) was a success. A total of 16 papers were presented at 4 technical sessions while the main sponsor GIZ facilitated the practical session on e-mobility. While most participants came from Cagayan State University (CSU), there were many from Metro Manila and Mindanao (Iligan and Zamboanga cities).

Closing group photo – this was taken after the concluding program for the conference. Instead of forming at the stage, our photographers asked us to be seated instead.

This year’s conference committee was chaired by Dr. Daniel Mabazza  of UP Diliman’s College of Social Science and Philosophy (Department of Geography). From L-R: Dr. Dan Mabazza, Dr. Marloe Sundo (UPLB-CEAT-DCE), Dr. Sheilah Gaabucayan-Napalang (UPD-SURP), Ms. Alorna Abao (UPD-NCTS), Dr. Sandy Gaspay (UPD-COE-ICE), Dr. Danielle Guillen (UPD-AIT), Dr. Karl Vergel (UPD-COE-ICE), Dr. Regin Regidor (UPD-COE-ICE) and Dr. Noriel Tiglao (UPD-NCPAG).

There was no formal announcement for next year’s conference though as TSSP is still considering the schedule in relation to next year’s EASTS Conference to be held in Adelaide, Australia sometime in September 2027. A strong candidate host though is Naga City, which already has an active core group for transportation based in the Bicol State College of Advanced Science and Technology (BISCAST). Of course, the LGU itself is ably led by its current Mayor Leni Robredo. I will post an update on this soon as I get some firm info from the society, which is currently also being supported by GIZ. GIZ, incidentally, also has an engagement with Naga City so the timing seems perfect for the next conference to be held there. Naga City is well known for its academic institutions including the Ateneo de Naga and University of Nueva Caceres. Naga, of course, is in Region 5 (Bicol) and there are certainly a lot of universities and colleges there including Bicol University and UST-Legazpi (Aquinas University) and many other SUCs and private HEI’s that probably have students and faculty doing transportation studies.

–