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DOST’s DREAM Program Nominated in International Awards

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Every Juan dreams of getting real-time weather data anytime, anywhere. The DOST therefore invested on a research project that will empower every citizen to make critical life-saving decisions using intelligent data from state-of-the art technology such as LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). This is the Disaster Risk, Exposure and Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program.

The DREAM introduced the use of LiDAR technology in generating high resolution 3D maps for hazard assessment and flood modelling. With the help of UK scientists, the DREAM team, led by Dr. Enrico C. Paringit of UP-National Engineering Center (UP-NEC), learned LiDAR technology, executed data acquisition, processing and validation in the last two years, and now transferring the results for use of LGUs and NGAs for infrastructure planning, resource assessment and post-disaster rehabilitation. 

LIDAR survey of 18 major river basins in the country has been accomplished in 2013, while completion of survey for the remaining 50% of the total area (100,000 sq.km.) is targetted to be completed in June. For 2014, DREAM will expand data acquisition from major river systems to the entire country and will involve 15 other universities and institutions. Today, high resolution 3D LiDAR flood hazard maps and flood inundation models for the 18 major river systems are available. These maps are necessary for localized emergency response, identification of evacuation and access routes, road closures during disasters, siting of key resource facilities and comprehensive land use planning. Thus far, flood maps and early warning systems have been done for 48 provinces, 612 municipalities and about 40 million residents.

The DREAM was also tapped to help the government in the post-disaster assessment of the Bohol Earthquake and super typhoon Yolanda in the Visayas Region last year. With updated and high-accuracy maps, the government can undertake quick response measures as well as post disaster assessment to help affected communities. The DREAM is earning rave not only from LGUs but also media and the public who are now using the data from DREAM.

With such successful life-changing technology with immediate use and impact to every Filipino and anyone in the Philippines, the DREAM was nominated to the Geospatial World Excellence in Policy Implementation Award in Geneva, Switzerland.

Geospatial World Awards has been conferring awards and recognition for exemplary innovations and practices in the geospatial industry. According to Dr. Hrishikesh Samant, Geospatial World Awards Coordinating Judge, the Geospatial World Excellence in Policy Award is given to policy makers and implementers whose work directly impacts in development of geospatial science technology and business. In the past four years, notable awardees of said award include the Standards Agentschap voor Geografische Informatie Vlaanderen (AGIV), Belgium for geospatial standards; Coordinating Agency for Federal Geographical Information, Switzerland for SDI; United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and NASA (Earth Science Division-Applied Sciences Program) for knowledge transfer; Indonesia Geospatial Information Agency (BIG) for Geospatial Information Act; and Kadaster, The Netherlands and Geonovum, The Netherlands for 3D Standards. The Awards will be conferred during the Awards Evening of Geospatial World Forum 2014,on May 8, 2014 in Geneva during the Geospatial World Forum 2014.

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