Press Release
February 26, 2011

SATELLITE DATA TO BE USED FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT

The Philippine Disaster Science Management Center (DSMC) along with the Congressional Commission on Science Technology and Engineering (COMSTE) acknowledged that Sentinel Asia, an international project of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), has appointed Manila Observatory as a Data Analysis Node (DAN).

Sentinel Asia aims to support disaster management in the Asia-Pacific Region by applying and promoting Remote Sensing and WEB-GIS technologies among its partners.

The Manila Observatory (MO) partnered with COMSTE in the planning and development of the DSMC. Now that the MO has been appointed as a Data Analysis Node, the Manila Observatory will provide analysis and interpretation of satellite data in aid of disaster management in the Philippine's and the Asia-Pacific Region.

Mr. Futoshi Takiguchi, Manager of Disaster Mangement Support Systems Office of Sentinel Asia informed the Manila Observatory's Executive Director Antonia Loyzaga that the Observatory's membership was unanimously approved.

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 MO maintains research programs in Geomatics, Regional Climate Systems, Solid Earth Dynamics, Space Weather and Air Quality. The Observatory 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. Dr. Narisma and Dr. Lagrosas are both faculty members of the Ateneo Physics Department. Dr. Lagrosas currently serves as the Physics Department's Acting Chair.

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