DREAM Program Launches LiPAD: LiDAR Portal for Archiving and Distribution

UP Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program launched its LiDAR Portal for Archiving and Distribution (LiPAD) last March 30, 2016, Wednesday at the Audio Visual Room (AVR), National Engineering Center in UP Diliman.

The launch was attended by representatives of different NGAs and its attached agencies. Friends from the mass media, like GMA News, UNTV, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Manila Bulletin, Radyo Agila, among others were there to cover the launch.

The program started with the welcome remarks of the DREAM/Phil-LiDAR Program Leader, Enrico C. Paringit, Dr.Eng. It was then followed by a presentation from Flood Modeling Component Chief, Christopher Noel Uichanco on an overview of the Flood Modeling and the techniques and tools used in flood warning and modeling. Engr. John Louie Fabila proceeded to feature the different LiDAR outputs that can be downloaded in LiPAD.

The newly-created LiPAD website is described as a one-stop shop for Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data. It will provide available LiDAR information such as high–resolution flood hazard maps, orthophotographs and digital elevation models, among others, that are necessary for the systematic use and practical application of the Program’s stakeholders. The information aims to provide national government agencies and local government units, etc. that would be utilizing the data for the purpose of more effective planning, disaster mitigation, and post-disaster rehabilitation towards quality service to the Filipino public and as a concrete action to contribute to nation-building.

Executive Director of the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), Carlos Primo C. David, PhD, congratulated the young scientists and engineers who have contributed their time by working hard to provide the different LiDAR outputs. He also emphasized the importance of accountability in leaders for projects, like this, that is mandated to provide quality service to the Filipino public by providing information on how to protect people’s lives especially in flood risk early warning.

LiPAD will give local government and interested organizations easier access to hazard maps that can help communities in preparing for disaster. According to Sir Eric Paringit, the maps will not only benefit the different government units and agencies in zoning and planning but as well as private individuals who would want to know if their properties and structures are in a flood-prone area and how high the flood will rise in different scenarios. Through LiPAD, LiDAR data can now be downloaded from the LiPAD website: https://lipad.dream.upd.edu.ph.

Engr. Mark Edwin Tupas, Project Leader of Data Acquisition and Distribution (DAD) of the Phil-LiDAR 1 Program, heads the in-house team who developed the web portal. He showed the audience the step by step instructions on how to register and download these datasets. Citing security and other risk related issues, users have to register at the LiPAD website. Confirmation email is then sent to the user when registration is approved by the DAD component.

The registration process is one important procedure that enables the project team to check who or which sectors are using the LiDAR data, and what data they are using the most. When analyzed, the data generated can shed more light on how LiDAR is used in the Philippines, and what are the data most useful to various agencies. Engr. Tupas also advised the audience that strong and fast internet connection is required for successful LiDAR data downloading.

After the presentation, questions were entertained during the open forum ranging from the LiDAR data coverage, frequency of data uploading, and to security measures against hacking. To cap off the event, the guests were treated to lunch.