QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES – The Environmental Management Bureau – National Capital Region (EMB-NCR), through its Ambient Air Monitoring Unit (AAMU), conducted three (3) days Technical Training For Air Quality Monitoring Using Remote Sensing And Geographic Information Systems (GIS), in collaboration with Air Move at Maynilad Room, Melchor Hall, UP Diliman, Quezon City, on November 8-10, 2023.
Engr. Roseanne V. Ramos, Assistant Professor and Project Leader, AirMove, and her team— Engr. Rodyvitto Angelo B. Torres, Senior Science Research Specialist, Engr. Katelene P. Panlilio, Science Research Specialist II, Dr. Ayin Tamondong, and Engr. Bienvenido Carcellar, AirMoVE Project Staff lectured and facilitated the training.
The training primarily aims to capacitate the participants on the uses and applications of satellite images, GIS software, and modeling processes for measuring and analyzing air pollutants. The three-day training includes a highly participative and inclusive series of lectures and hands-on exercises to equip the participants with the knowledge and expertise needed to operate the models and software systems developed by Project AiRMOVE. The training also included a culminating activity to discuss key takeaways and future discussions for collaboration and partnership.
Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are technologies constantly evolving and utilized in research projects involving environmental applications like air quality mapping. Specifically, satellite imagery and geographical databases are used to measure and monitor air quality pollutants such as fine and coarse particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide. The use of remote sensing and GIS contributes to the influx of information that can be used to determine critical areas with high pollutant concentrations and to analyze yearly and seasonal trends.
MOA signing was also held on the last day of the training. It was led by Dr. Czar Jakiri S. Sarmiento, Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry Director, University of the Philippines Diliman, together with Engr. Roseanne V. Ramos, Assistant Professor and Project Leader, Atty. Michael Drake P.
Matias, Regional Director of Environmental Management Bureau National Capital Region, and Atty. Linel C. Manayang, OIC of Environmental Monitoring and Enforcement Division.
The MOA signing is an agreement between the University and EMB-NCR in implementing the Program “Ambient Air Remote Sensing, Modelling and Visualization Environment (Project AiRMoVE),” which will add value to the EMB-NCR Action and Response Command Center (ICARE) and will serve as the prototype for future developments and engagements within the City.
