PHL picked as 'data node' in Asia IT disaster mgm't project

A Japan-led regional project that seeks to use remote sensing and GIS technologies in disaster management has named the Manila Observatory as a Data Analysis Node (DAN) in Asia Pacific. The Philippine Disaster Science Management Center (DSMC), along with the Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (Comste), said the Manila Observatory will now play a major role in supplying data to Sentinel Asia, an international project of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Sentinel Asia aims to support disaster management in the Asia Pacific region by applying and promoting remote sensing and GIS technologies among its partners. As a Data Analysis Node, the Manila Observatory will provide analysis and interpretation of satellite data in aid of disaster management in the Philippines and the Asia Pacific region. Senator Edgardo J. Angara, chair of Comste, said that the availability of satellite data will boost the capabilities of the DSMC to better understand the mechanics of managing disasters with the cooperation of neighboring countries that have experienced similar storms and natural calamities as the Philippines. The Manila Observatory maintains research programs in geomatics, regional climate systems, solid earth dynamics, space weather and air quality. The Observatory also promotes the advancement of science-based decision support systems in aid of climate change mitigation, adaptation, and disaster risk reduction. The Observatory’s research team is led by Dr. Celine Vicente of Geomatics and Environment and Development program, Dr. Gemma Narisma of the Regional Climate Systems program, and Dr. Nofel Lagrosas of the Air Quality program. Narisma and Lagrosas are both faculty members of the Ateneo Physics Department, with Lagrosas currently serving as the department’s acting chair. — Newsbytes.ph