UP CEBU BACKS LIDAR PROJECTS by Amy A. Macalinao, UP Cebu PIO WITH the goal of developing a high-resolution, 3D Philippine hazard maps, the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) organizes the implementation of the Philippines Light and Detection Ranging (Phil Lidar) project. This ongoing project, which is composed of two phases (Phil Lidar I and Phil Lidar II), is a joint venture between UP Cebu and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST). Lidar is a mapping technology that uses laser to make maps, allowing more precision than other mapping technologies. Proposed by Dr. Jonnifer Sinogaya, head of the Sciences cluster of UP Cebu, Phil Lidar I, which started last June 1, focuses on the Western Visayas’s major river basins. According to Chito Patiño, Chief Science Research Specialist for the said project, Lidar I’s initial target is to create models for seven river basins in Negros island, which includes Madugo, Hunogaon, Tan- aw, Banaw and three other rivers in the area. He said 3D flood maps will be the major outputs of the project, replacing the existing, less accurate 2D hazard maps being used now. Patiño said that “If Lidar I will be fully implemented, the maps can actually be viewed directly on the Project Noah website.” Lidar Process Patiño said the project uses Lidar as its main equipment, which is connected to a Sesma Plane. He said the laser that is thrown by Lidar will be retrieved again and interpreted by high-standard computers with operating system faster than I7. He stressed also that the process is not performed only by UP Cebu alone. “UP Diliman is the one responsible for the acquisition of Lidar data. They will then relay the results to UP Cebu. Data will then be edited by us,” Patiño added. “One of the main jobs of UP Diliman is to survey the river then map it, including the bottom part. Based on the profile they made, UP Cebu will plot it into the map,” he said. Patiño said that the DOST will install automatic rain gauges. Based on the data gathered by the instruments, UP Cebu will then make flood models. “The rain gauges will help us predict possible flooded areas and flood levels, particularly in Negros Occidental,” he added. LGU’s As of Nov. 1 this year, Patiño said his team already worked on introducing the project to local government units (LGU’s) in Western Visayas. He said that cooperating with LGU’s play important roles in the implementation of the project. “We’ve been into different provinces already in Western Visayas, and so far, they are cooperative. Some provinces provided transportation and local tour guides for us,” he said. Phil Lidar II The Phil Lidar II is a resource-mapping project that focuses on existing resources. This is proposed by UP Cebu Prof. Judith Silapan of the Sciences cluster. Its area of interest includes high value crops like tubuhan (sugarcane) for Negros and rice for Iloilo. The project also deals with finding potential renewable resources in the country. “Since the maps are more accurate this time, locating the places with potential renewable resources will be very easy and fast,” Patiño said. Funds The DOST and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) provided the funds and salaries for the employees and utilities for the projects. Patiño said UP Cebus counterpart contribution includes providing the office space located at the administration building, and expenses at less than P50,000. Estimated amount of funds given by DOST for the projects is P23M, in which P11M is intended for Lidar I and P12M for Lidar II. Duration According to Patiño, Lidar is already used by different countries all over the world, such as the United States, Australia, and Canada. He said the expected timeframe to complete the implementation of the project is three years.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 09:41:07 +0000