San juan city: Coupled with resilience and unity, Filipinos could also withstand calamities through the help of science, technology, and innovation (STI), Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said on Tuesday. "The DOST believes that through STI, Filipinos could become victors and not victims of disasters," he stated during the post-State of the Nation Address conference held in San Juan City.
According to Philippines News Agency, Solidum highlighted the frequent perception of the Philippines as a victim of typhoons, floods, and volcanic eruptions. He outlined four key initiatives by the DOST to bolster disaster preparedness and mitigation. The first involves identifying potential hazards, with funds allocated to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and various universities to enhance hazard assessments.
The second initiative focuses on modernizing monitoring systems. The DOST plans to increase the number of Doppler radars and expand seismic stations from 125 to 300, along with setting up 400 tsunami monitoring stations. Furthermore, the department collaborates with an American firm to incorporate artificial intelligence in weather forecasting, extending the forecast period from five to 14 days, reducing processing time from three hours to 15 minutes, and providing more localized forecasts.
Thirdly, the DOST has developed tools like the Hazard Hunter app to improve information dissemination and communication. This app informs users about hazards in establishments such as malls and schools. Solidum also mentioned the DOST's role in disaster recovery planning, including the distribution of mobile command and control vehicles equipped with satellite communication and rescue boats for rescue operations.
Lastly, the DOST uses STI to transform waste into valuable resources. Solidum emphasized that garbage poses a significant issue during floods, and through STI, plastics and agricultural wastes can be converted into useful materials.
