Philippine Space Agency

The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) successfully organized the PINAS (PhilSA Integrated Network for Space-Enabled Actions towards Sustainability) workshop in Calapan City from 22 to 23 June 2023.

Provincial Governor Humerlito Dolor, represented by Provincial Administrator Hubbert Christopher Dolor, welcomed the organizers, partners, and participants. Calapan Mayor Marilou Flores-Morillo, represented by City Administrator Atty. Reymund Al Ussam, and City College of Calapan Administrator Dr. Ronald F. Cantos, were also present to support PINAS.

The two-day workshop, held in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology-MIMAROPA, covered the topics of the space value chain, space data applications, remote sensing, field validation, and PhilSA scholarships.

A mapping activity was conducted to enable the participants to determine the environmental, agriculture, and disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) concerns in their areas. Participants underwent ground data collection training through the Open Data Kit (ODK) Collect, an Android application used in environment and disaster monitoring. The workshop also featured a technical demonstration and hands-on operation of the Diwata-2 Amateur Radio Unit (ARU).

PhilSA’s initiative in monitoring the Mindoro oil spill through mapping from space and activation of the International Charter Space and Major Disasters was also highlighted as one of the remote sensing applications that enable informed decision making.

Launched in October 2022, PINAS envisions an active network of institutions and individuals working together toward sustainability using space data. Workshops have been held in Iloilo City, Palawan, Ilocos Region, and Aklan. Interested individuals and organizations may #JoinTheMission of PINAS here.

Dr. Ronald F. Cantos, City College of Calapan Administrator delivers the opening remarks.
Provincial Administrator Dr. Hubbert Christopher A. Dolor delivers welcome message during the seminar on behalf of Governor Humerlito Dolor.
PhilSA Director General Dr. Joel Joseph S. Marciano, Jr. presents how the Philippines can be a nation empowered by space value creation and operation.
Mr. Marco Melgar, Senior Science Research Specialist of the PhilSA Space Education and Scholarships Division (SESD), highlights the AD ASTRA or the PhilSA Advanced Degrees for Accelerating Strategic Space R&D and Applications.
Dr. Ariel C. Blanco, PhilSA Space Information Infrastructure Bureau Director, mapping and monitoring the environment through remote sensing.
Project Leader Jamaica Pangasinan presents the PINAS Project.
Diwata-2 ARU technical demonstration
Day 1 mapping activity
Utilization of the ODK Collect application for field data collection.

Citizen science workshop to empower fisherfolk, held in Puerto Galera

A Citizen Science Workshop for environmental monitoring in Puerto Galera on 21 June was held to empower participants, particularly the fisherfolk, on space data applications and on-ground monitoring.

Senior Science Research Specialist Engr. Kristine Bantay presenting the results of the fieldwork conducted last April.

The workshop resulted from the April 2023 fieldwork conducted in Puerto Galera by the PhilSA Space Data Mobilization and Applications Division (SDMAD) as part of monitoring the impact of the oil spill in Mindoro. During the fieldwork, the National Greening Program (NGP) sites near the boundary of Balatero and San Isidro were examined through drone technology and image processing. Furthermore, data on benthic habitat types and chlorophyll-a levels of Puerto Galera were collected. Results of the fieldwork were cascaded to the participants to provide actionable information for possible policies and future projects.

Corals captured using GoPro camera during benthic habitat mapping.

Drone mosaic (top) and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) (bottom) of NGP site in Puerto Galera.

Additionally, the workshop introduced ODK Collect where participants experienced hands-on data collection and integration in line with monitoring protocols.

Participants use the ODK Collect application

Other technical presentations covered an introduction to space science technology and applications (SSTA), drone operations, and the value of citizen science in the Philippines.