DREAM Program holds Luzon Cluster Conference in Subic

The Phil-LiDAR 1 Luzon Cluster Conference was held in Kamana Sanctuary Hotel in Subic on September 3-5, 2015, with the event proper taking place on September 4, 2015. The Phil-LiDAR delegates came from Isabela State University (ISU), Central Luzon State University (CLSU), Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU), University of the Philippines, Baguio (UPB), University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), and Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT).

The plenary session began with Dr. Paringit’s opening remarks at 9:00am followed by 20-30 minute powerpoint presentations from each of the different Luzon Cluster universities. Their reports contained updates on their accomplishments and their concerns regarding their operations and other matters. All the presentations drew to a close by noon, wherein all the participants had their lunch in the venue. This was followed by the Data Acquisition Component (DAC), Data Validation Component (DVC), Data Processing Component (DPC), Flood Modeling Component (FMC), and Data Archiving and Distribution (DAD) Components’ discussion of the concerns. The Project Leader/ Chief Science Research Specialist or the assigned representative per component answered all the issues raised by each of the Luzon SUCs/ HEIs. DVC and DPC had the most issues and concerns brought up by the participants. To further enrich the discussion, Dr. Paringit also provided instructions, guidance, and insights regarding the stated issues.

In the afternoon, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) representative, the monitoring agency of the DREAM-Phil-LiDAR 1 Program, was represented by Ms. Mary Rose Pariñas to facilitate the next session to discuss the contents of the DOST Form 2B – 1 with the Luzon SUC/ HEI delegates. This is to formulate a single workplan with the same outputs and accomplishments to be measured and stated for submission to PCIEERD. With this, the Phil-LiDAR 1 SUCs/HEIs will be able to gauge their accomplishments by standards and goals they themselves have set together with PCIEERD.