CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro (PIA) — The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) MIMAROPA partnered with the Mindoro State University (MinSU) to strengthen disaster preparedness in Oriental Mindoro.
Dubbed as Project MOSES (Monitoring and Observation of Site-Specific E-Weather Stations), the initiative is part of the DOST MIMAROPA-funded research and development project with a budget of ₱2.5 million.
In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Oriental Mindoro, Project Lead Engr. Christian B. Hernandez explained that Project MOSES seeks to establish a network of e-weather stations that provide real-time data on weather conditions and related factors.
“Layunin po namin na makapagbigay ng impormasyon tungkol sa lagay ng panahon dito sa mataas na bahagi ng ating watershed. Nagbibigay kami ng 10 weather parameters. Real time naming nalalaman kung gaano kalakas ang ating ulan. So, meron kaming website, accesible siya sa website. ‘Yung ating station ay nasa isang specific na lugar, tapos through internet connection ay nakukuha natin ang real-time na lagay ng panahon sa specific na lugar na yun,” Hernandez said.
[Our goal is to provide information about the weather conditions in the higher areas of our watershed. We monitor 10 weather parameters in real-time, including rainfall intensity. The data is accessible through a dedicated website, allowing us to track site-specific weather conditions through the internet.]
Project MOSES will significantly improve disaster preparedness and response efforts, particularly in areas prone to flooding, typhoons and other climate-related hazards by establishing a network of e-weather stations in strategic locations.
DOST Oriental Mindoro Provincial Director Jesse Pine emphasized the agency’s commitment to promote locally-developed innovations that contribute to disaster response efforts.
“Kaya nakakatuwa dito sa atin sa Oriental Mindoro ay lumabas yung isa sa mga promising na weather monitoring system innovations natin. Ang iba pa naming initiative ay yung promotion ng technology kaya naman mayroon kaming mga AVPs [audio-visual presentations] na pinopromote namin sa social media at kapag may mga ICT-based conferences,” he said.
[What’s interesting here in Oriental Mindoro is that one of our promising weather monitoring system innovations has been launched. Another initiative of ours is the promotion of technology, which is why we have AVPs (audio-visual presentations) that we promote on social media and during ICT-based conferences.]
Pine hopes that the Project MOSES will be rolled-out in other parts of the country.
“Ang next steps o ways forward ay maroll-out siya nationwide. Siyempre ico-compliment niya yung mga installed na weather stations,” he said.
[Our next step is to roll this out nationwide to complement existing weather stations.]
Project MOSES is set to be expanded in the province in the latter months of 2025, with installations planned in the town of Naujan and Calapan City.
DOST said that this expansion aims to enhance the capabilities of accurate and real-time weather monitoring of Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (LDRRMOs).
The data gathered from these stations will allow local government units (LGUs) to make informed decisions regarding early warning systems, evacuation protocols and risk assessment strategies. (JJGS/PIA MIMAROPA-Oriental Mindoro)
