The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) successfully conducted its second Training Course on Downstream Data Utilization from 23 to 27 June 2025 at Rizal Technological University (RTU) in Mandaluyong City. 

The five-day program aimed to equip educators, researchers, and industry professionals with practical knowledge and skills in remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) through a series of lectures and hands-on exercises. 

Topics covered included platform and sensor systems, digital image processing, mapping and projection systems, spatial data models and analysis, as well as map accuracy assessment and validation. PhilSA researchers also conducted sessions on field data collection techniques and the applications of RS and GIS in real-world scenarios. 

Participants engaged in practical and hands-on exercises such as image pre-processing, interpretation, and transformation; image classification; flood mapping; and forest monitoring using tools such as Google Earth Engine (GEE), Google Earth Pro, and Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS). 

PhilSA Space Data Mobilization and Applications Division Project Technical Specialist Francesca Deighl Rivera introduces the Google Earth Engine to the participants

Participants joined the training with specific projects in mind, allowing them to apply the lessons directly to their ongoing initiatives.  

Educators also saw value in integrating RS and GIS training into their Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) curriculums. Faculty members and research advisers viewed the program as an opportunity to better guide students in processing and analyzing spatial data, while also enriching their own coursework with practical applications. The potential to integrate these tools with mathematics and science to address pressing issues such as disaster risk reduction, environmental monitoring, and sustainability was also considered.   

To culminate the training course, participants developed actionable plans to apply their geospatial learnings across various fields—from enhancing academic research with GIS, to optimizing agricultural water use, improving local disaster response with satellite monitoring, and combating crop disease through soil mapping. Other projects included analyzing decades of climate data, exploring mineral resources, and evaluating solar energy potential—all aimed at driving data-informed solutions in their respective sectors. 

Participants prepare a work plan for implementing programs/projects related to the learnings gained from the course.

Over 250 individuals from across the country applied for the second batch of the Training Course on Downstream Data Utilization. First launched in 2024, the course is part of PhilSA’s Space Education and Awareness Program (SEAP), which aims to promote public understanding and appreciation of space science and technology applications (SSTA). 

The program provides learning opportunities for industry professionals, educators, and students at all levels to explore the peaceful uses of space science and technology. It aims to strengthen their knowledge, skills, and practical experience in scientific disciplines, fostering greater engagement in the growing SSTA ecosystem. 

PhilSA plans to expand the training beyond Metro Manila, making these essential skills more accessible to regions across the country. 

Training Course on Downstream Data Utilization 2025 participants