Use of DREAM technologies in Coco Scale Insect Biosurveillance presented in 2014 Philippine ESRI User Conference

Ms. Marie Joyce Ilagan, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Data Processing Component, presented to the 2014 Philippine ESRI Users Conference audience other applications of the technologies currently used by the Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program. Said conference was held last September 24, 2014 at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City.

Ms. Ilagan's presentation centered on the Rapid Biosurveillance of Coconut Scale Insect (CSI), a study authored by the Program's head, Enrico C. Paringit, Dr.Eng., and co-authored by other DREAM personnel, namely Engr.  John Louie Fabila, Engr. Sarah Jane Samalburo, Engr. Charmaine Cruz, Engr. John Dill Macapagal, and Ms. Marie Joyce Ilagan. Through the use of remote sensing and geographic information system, alternative methodologies for more efficient damage and control assessments were tapped in the said research.

Coconut scale insect (CSI) infestation, first observed in Batangas in March 2010, rapidly became a major concern for the Philippine coconut industry, which is ranked second worldwide. Recognizing the extensiveness of the agricultural damage, the government deemed necessary a rapid biosurveillance, hence the exploration of technologies such as hyperspectral imagery. The DREAM Program also uses this, among other remote sensing and GIS innovations, in flood mapping and other related disaster-mitigation efforts.