A Korean National Assembly (KNA) representative and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) are exploring collaboration on the use of COMSAT (communications satellite) to monitor and protect the environment.
KNA Member Congresswoman Jo Myung-hee paid last July 13 a courtesy visit to the DENR in a pivotal meeting to introduce state-the-art technologies for the collection of data to monitor the environmental conditions on the ground.
During her visit, she was officially welcomed by DENR-Foreign Assisted and Special Services (FASPS) Director Dr. Al O. Orolfo who acknowledged satellite technologies and high-resolution images’ significant role in the management and protection of natural resources and the environment.
Other senior officials present at the courtesy visit were Lawyer Ernesto D. Adobo, Jr., Officer-in-Charge (OIC), DENR, and Maria Elena A. Morallos-Manila, Director of the Knowledge and Information Systems Service (KISS).
Present also at the meeting is Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Philippines Office Assistant Country Director Kim Younlee.
Jo explained that in Korea, they already use two systems for real-time monitoring of the environmental and weather conditions through satellite imagery and meteorological stations.
DENR OIC Secretary Adobo expressed DENR’s gratitude for the support and assistance extended by the Korean Government in the environment sector of the country, reported FASPS’s John Darren M. Chua.
There are two ongoing KOICA-funded projects with the DENR.
One of these is the Establishment of an Integrated Water Resources Management and Information System for the Pampanga River Basin Phase 2 (IWRMIS II) implemented by the National Water Resources Board (NWRB).
The other is the Enhancement of Marine Litter Management in Manila Bay (EMLM) to be spearheaded by the Manila Bay Coordinating Office (MBCO).
Jo is looking forward to this collaboration as well with other Philippine government agencies such as the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and PAGASA.
At present, the Philippines’ capability to monitor ground and surface conditions is through local weather stations of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and the Geographic Information System (GIS) which generates analyses dependent on a particular location or coordinates on the ground.
The Korean technologies will strengthen the Philippines’ capabilities using COMSAT data generated through orbital satellites which provide high-resolution images of the terrains.
Representative Jo Myung-hee is Korea’s first doctorate holder in the Remote Sensing Area and is recognized for her contribution to the development of talent and advanced technology in the field of satellite images and geospatial data.
