Agile, Gender-sensitive, Resilient, Innovative, Dedicated, Alert, Mindful (AGRI-DAM) CAGAYAN VALLEY – A four-day event advocating readiness of the community organized by the Department of Science and Technology Regional Office II, in partnership with the Cagayan State University (CSU) Sanchez Mira and Local Government Unit of Sanchez Mira, served as a platform for showcasing innovative approaches and technologies for Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM). Among the main participants are government representatives, scholars, and business executives who gathered to talk about creative approaches to catastrophe mitigation, recovery, and prevention. 

Last 22 February 2024, Engr. Riza Carmela Pineda, Project Senior Technical Specialist, provided valuable insights about the Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal (REIINN)’s role on developing application frameworks and infrastructures to support the transition to remote learning and to narrow the digital divide in the country using internet. On the same day, Mr. Abraham Leonido, Project Administrative Assistant from the Technology Licensing Office, also discussed KOOHA,  an android application that enables real-time participatory photo and sensor data collection using smartphones and mobile devices that may be used by any individual in order to contribute various environmental data and photos that are useful to the community and command centers especially during disasters. 

On the last day of the event, 23 February 2024, Engr. Elmer Peramo, Senior Science Research Specialist and technical team lead for DOST-ASTI - Automated Labeling Machine (ASTI-ALaM), joined virtually and discussed ASTI-ALaM’s objective to develop a more efficient method of developing artificial neural network and machine learning models. The project aims to create an online platform where these AI models can be accessed and stored for various use cases such as landslide and flooding detection. Ms. Maria Irene Amatorio, Senior Science Research Specialist and head of Technology Licensing Office introduced the concept of using DOST-ASTI’s smart technologies for disaster prevention, with a particular focus on the seven technologies of the Meteorological Data Acquisition Station for Information Dissemination (MASID), a technology that automatically collects meteorological and hydrometeorological data. The data collected from the stations are integrated to the PhilSensors, a system used by DOST-PAGASA to monitor various environmental data for the purpose of studying whether they need to advise the local government or the community in the event of a potential calamity.

DOST-ASTI also displayed various technologies during the exhibit, together with Ace Electronics, Inc., a licensee for various MASID technologies, and entertained questions from visitors who were curious about the agency’s advanced DRRM technologies. 

Through the participation in the AGRI-DAM CAGAYAN VALLEY event, DOST-ASTI reaffirms its commitment to leveraging science and technology for the benefit of Filipino communities through practical applications of innovative and smart technologies in enhancing disaster resilience and management strategies.