ZAMBOANGA CITY (PIA) – The Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) introduces space data and information to participants during the PhilSA Integrated Network for Space-enabled Actions towards Sustainability (PINAS) workshop, aimed at fostering development in Mindanao.

Participants from the Zamboanga Peninsula, Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi expressed their appreciation for the new and valuable information provided during the activity. They found it very interesting and helpful for the programs and projects of their respective institutions and offices.

Merilyn Banguih-Asaali from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) mentioned that the applications introduced by PhilSA will greatly assist them in their operations to better serve the IPs in the region, especially in issuing Certificates of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) and collecting data for the Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan (ADSDPP).

“Makakatulong ito nang malaki sa data collection and data gathering. It is efficient in terms of time because it‘s paperless, and awtomatikong nagpoproseso ito ng mga datos na ating nakokolekta base sa nais nating output,” Asaali said.

(This will significantly help in data collection and gathering. It is efficient in terms of time because it is paperless and automatically processes the data we collect based on our desired output.)

Meanwhile, Maria Katherine Eran-Lim from the University of Zamboanga (UZ) expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with PhilSA for benchmarking purposes in research. She also highlighted the value of the information provided by PhilSA to the school's Safety, Health, and Environment Department. This data will enable them to offer timely updates on weather conditions and heat indexes, benefiting both students and employees.

“During disasters, the data we get can help us determine who is the one that should be prioritized and assisted,” Lim said.

From the local government unit of Isabela, Basilan, Baby Joal Sicat stated that PhilSA would greatly contribute to improving the future of Isabela.

"Malaki ang magiging tulong ng PhilSA sa future ng Isabela. Kinakailangan pa namin ang mga bagong technologies upang mapabuti ang Isabela as a whole. Makakatulong ito lalo na sa pagtugon sa mga kalamidad at sa aming land cover na hindi pa ganap na naayos dahil ang ginagamit naming data sa land mapping ay mga lumang datos pa rin," Sicat said.

(PhilSA will be a big help to the future of Isabela. We still need new technologies to improve Isabela as a whole. This will be especially helpful in responding to disasters and in our land cover, which has not yet been fully addressed because we still use old data for land mapping.)

The PINAS Mindanao aims to establish an active network of institutions and individuals collaborating towards the acceleration and sustainable socio-economic development of Mindanao, guided by decisions, actions, and policies supported by space data and information. These institutions encompass local government units, national government agencies, research and development institutions, civil society organizations, private companies, and citizens.

The workshop held in Zamboanga City in collaboration with the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) featured lectures on space data and its applications, value creation in space, remote sensing, mission design, satellite development overview, and the significance of field data. Participants were engaged in mapping and analyzing environmental challenges. Additionally, a hands-on session on field data collection using the Open Data Kit (ODK) application was conducted to equip participants with the skills to collect and upload field data using their mobile devices for satellite data validation. (RVC/EDT/CCP/PIA9)