DREAM hosts workshop on LiDAR Applications

The Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program presented to stakeholders the various applications of the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology in a whole-day event held last March 15, 2013 at the Cocoon Hotel, Quezon City.

Entitled “Research on DREAM LiDAR Applications: Progress, Prospects, and Challenges,” the event was organized to increase knowledge and awareness on the usability of LiDAR data in the Philippines. Among the speakers for the event were Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (Project NOAH) Executive Director Alfredo Mahar A. Lagmay, PhD., DREAM Program Leader Enrico C. Paringit,

Dr.Eng, DREAM Component Chiefs Engr. Christopher Cruz, Engr. Joemarie Caballero, Engr. John Louie Fabila, and Christopher Uichanco of the Data Acquisition, Data Validation, Data Processing, and Flood Modeling components, respectively. Al Duncan of the United Kingdom Environmental Agency (UK EA) also shared the UK LiDAR experience; while Data Processing Component Project Leader Engr. Ma. Rosario Concepcion Ang discussed the data protocol.

Engr. Ang also headed the groupings for the workshop proper. Each group came up with various possible applications of the LiDAR technology in the Philippines. These proposals were discussed in an interactive presentation after the workshop.

The workshop was attended by around 83 academicians, engineers, research professionals, and specialists from the government agencies like the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA).