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Memorandum of Agreement for LiDAR data-sharing signed by Partner State Universities and Higher Education Institutions

Last July 15, 2017, the Chancellors and Representatives from the 15 partner State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Secretary Fortunato dela Pena of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for LiDAR data-sharing. The MOA signing ceremony took place in the main stage of the World Trade Center during the last day of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration of the Department of Science and Technology. The Philippine Center for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) in coordination with the Phil-LiDAR Program conducted the preparations for the event.

 

The fifteen partner SUCs/ HEIs were:

 

Luzon

1. University of the Philippines Los Banos

2. Central Luzon State University

3. University of the Philippines Baguio

4. Ateneo de Naga University

5. Isabela State University

6. MAPUA University

7. Mariano Marcos State University

 

Visayas

1. University of the Philippines Cebu

2. Visayas State University

3. University of San Carlos

 

Mindanao

1. Ateneo de Zamboanga University

2. University of the Philippines Mindanao

3. Central Mindanao University

4. CARAGA State University

5. Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology

 

The program began with the Philippine National Anthem followed by the invocation. Usec. Guevara gave the Welcome Message and Opening Remarks focusing on the importance of LiDAR data-sharing for the benefit of stakeholders especially in the localities covered by the LiDAR-based output maps. She also hoped that in the future, LiDAR applications would be maximized and used to its highest potential.

 

After the message of Usec. Guevara, Dr. Enrico C. Paringit and Dr. Ariel C. Blanco each presented the progress and accomplishments of the Phil-LiDAR 1 and 2 Programs, respectively. For the Phil-LiDAR 1 Program, data acquisition, data pre-processing, data validation, flood modeling and mapping, and data archiving and distribution are underway to reach the program targets for the purposes of disaster risk reduction, planning, and exposure assessment. For the Phil-LiDAR 2 Program, agricultural, renewable energy, coastal, forest, and hydrological resource maps have been generated and made available to both national and local stakeholders.


The Keynote Speech was delivered by none other than Sec. Fortunato dela Pena of the Department of Science and Technology. He expressed the usefulness of LiDAR data and the capacities to be derived from LiDAR technology towards the development of communities and nation-building. He went on to commend the Program Leaders of both programs for their efforts and vision in making the program outputs into a reality.


The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) then took place with the Chancellors and representatives from the 15 partner state universities and colleges (SUCs) and higher education institutions (HEIs) signing the MOA, thereby making it legal to use the LiDAR data for the academe to help Filipino citizens and other stakeholders across the country.


The response from the partner SUCs and HEIs was delivered by Dr. Vea from the MAPUA University. He acknowledged the presence of the other representatives from DOST, SUCs and HEIs, and the Phil-LiDAR 1 and 2 Programs. He further mentioned the need for the initiative to institutionalize LiDAR for the purposes of sustainability and to maximize opportunities that will improve LiDAR usage in the Philippines.


Last but not the least, the Closing Remarks was given by Executive Director Carlos Primo David of DOST-PCIEERD. He raised the issue of data-sharing and that the MOA is a step towards realizing the goal of bringing science and technology indeed closer to the people. He also recognized the hard work put in by the Phil-LiDAR 1 and 2 Programs, and he hopes that this will be the beginning of more scientific and innovative proposals looking forward.