By Dhel Nazario
The Department of Science and Technology—Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) has deployed satellite images of places in Metro Manila to monitor areas of interest during implementation of Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).
(Photos from DOST-ASTI via Dhel Nazario)
This was made possible through the Philippine Earth Data Research and Observation (PEDRO) Center and the Remote Sensing and Data Science Help Desk (DATOS) Project of DOST-ASTI.
The pre-quarantine images were retrieved from commercial Earth observation satellite Worldview 2 (2019) and remote sensing satellite Kompsat 3 (2019), while images of Metro Manila during the quarantine period were taken on March 18.
(Photos from DOST-ASTI via Dhel Nazario)
Satellite images showing traffic situation (comparison before and during ECQ implementation) have been processed for various places in Metro Manila for public information. Images have also been posted in social media platforms of DOST-ASTI.
Further information are being gathered from the satellite images. PEDRO provided high resolution satellite images while processing and analysis were done by DATOS Project using DOST-ASTI's science infrastructure.
The DATOS Project conducts R&D and produces outputs to be included in data-driven decision support systems and provides advanced, quick, understandable, and reliable earth observation data solutions for Disaster Risk Reduction Management (DRRM) challenges and other applications, while the PEDRO Center—with its Satellite Ground Receiving Station (GRS) facility—has direct access to a broad range of optical (high-resolution, multispectral) and radar (cloud penetrating, day-night-imaging) satellite data.