Puerto Princesa City, Palawan – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) capped off the MIMAROPA Regional leg of its annual Science and Technology Fair at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum, Palawan last 27-29 November 2019. The DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) was there to showcase its roster of technologies with the goal of expanding the discourse on advanced science and technology among MIMAROPA locals. 

 The series of exhibits featured various projects, efforts, services, and technologies catered by different universities, LGUs, and DOST agencies which can be beneficial to the local science and entrepreneurial scene in the region.  

 The DOST-ASTI booth showcased displays highlighting the Philippine Earth Data Resource Observation Center (PEDRO), Understanding Lightning and Thunderstorms Project (ULAT), Electronics Product Development Center, and the Diwata-2 and Maya-1 satellites from the PHL Microsat/STAMINA4Space Program. Officials and guests from various local government offices, schools, and universities were able to engage with the DOST-ASTI team who substantially presented how these projects help in advancing local research initiatives and applications on disaster mitigation, environmental monitoring, weather forecasting, urban mapping, electronics product development, among other DOST-ASTI initiatives.  

During the event’s "Understanding Disaster Risks" Forum, Ms. Neyzielle Cadiz of the DATOS Project was one of the resource speakers. She highlighted DOST-ASTI’s latest innovations on disaster preparedness and mitigation. 

Specifically focused on the agency’s S&T infrastructure & geospatial technologies, Ms. Cadiz explained how projects like DATOS, PREGINET, COARE, PEDRO, and even STAMINA4Space / PHL-Microsat come together to provide earth observation, ICT, and ground validation data for our country's disaster management needs.  

After giving guests an overview at how DIWATA-1, DIWATA-2, and MAYA-1 satellites work, she then proceeded to explain how the data collected by these earth observation satellites are generated through DOST-ASTI’s Ground Receiving Stations (PEDRO Center) housed in Metro Manila and Davao, respectively. The satellite data provided by PEDRO Center are systematically archived and stored through the COARE facility and analyzed through the DATOS Helpdesk for various disaster-related and agricultural mapping outputs. 

 This was expounded by Mr. Elmer Peramo of DOST-ASTI's Computer Software Division (CSD) during the event's Forum on Artificial Intelligence and Mechatronics. 

His talk, which focused on infrastructure & geospatial technologies on artificial intelligence, explained how factors such as algorithm, data, and computing power come together in these projects.  

After explaining what artificial intelligence (AI) is to the students present during the talk, Mr. Peramo presented how these innovations are harnessed locally in the form of DOST-ASTI projects that cater to environmental assessment, weather monitoring, remote communication, image assessment, disaster mitigation, among many others. 

____ 

The DOST-ASTI actively participates in the Regional DOST S&T Fairs with the goal of connecting with students and LGUs all over the country. As the agency builds on strengthening the country’s advanced science landscape, it also encourages engagement and extensive information dissemination between its researchers and possible beneficiaries across various regions in the Philippines. 

Know more about us at www.asti.dost.gov.ph.