Now, more than ever, there is a greater need to protect and care for the environment.

To encourage people to be more conscious of the environmental issues around them, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the University of the Philippines (UP) joined forces and came up with “MASDAN.”

“MASDAN” is a DOST-funded, UP-developed mobile application to help in environment protection. It is a platform for citizen science to map and monitor the water quality of Manila Bay and other similar areas in the country.

Through “MASDAN,” citizens can now report environmental issues and concerns using their mobile phones.

In a statement issued by DOST-Science and Technology Information Institute (STII), it was noted that U -Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry and the DOST launched a two-year program in 2020.

Dubbed “IM4ManilaBay,” the program was in response to the need for technological interventions concerning the rehabilitation and sustainability of the Manila Bay area.

“MASDAN” mobile app is one of the outputs of the Development of an Integrated Mapping, Monitoring, and Analytical Network System for Manila Bay and Linked Environments project or MApABLE which is one one of the four projects of the IM4ManilaBay Program.

Citizen Science

For IM4ManilaBay Program project leader Dr. Ariel C. Blanco, “everything is mappable.”

Blanco also underscored the need to “enable mapping and monitoring of the environment using geo-spatial technology such as remote sensing, surveying, graphic report systems, and other related technologies as well as citizen science.”

National Geographic defines citizen science as the “practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge.” 

Through citizen science, people share and contribute to data monitoring and collection programs. Usually, this participation is done by unpaid volunteers. “Through citizen science, everyone has a role to play  we want to enable them to contribute towards generating actionable information,” Blanco added.

Using ‘MASDAN’

To use “MASDAN,” Jomer Medina, Senior Science Research Specialist of Project MapAble said that users would have to register first and fill out the user profile form on the app.

After which, users can now submit a narrative on an environmental issue or concern, its location, and accompanying photos as evidence. Users can also pin the exact location of the issue on a map.

In particular, concerned citizens can report environmental issues such as algal bloom, fish kill, water pollution, water hyacinth, ongoing reclamation and solid waste.

In the meantime, Medina said that the app can only accept photos, not videos.

Medina noted that once a report is submitted, it goes through a server where it can be directly accessible to appropriate national government agencies, state universities, and colleges, higher education institutions, local government units, civil service societies, and citizens.

Through the app, concerned agencies can take action on the reports submitted by the users.

Meanwhile, Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, executive director of the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technologies Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) expressed his appreciation to the project team for making this innovative mobile application.

“I encourage citizens to actively participate and become more informed on Manila Bay’s conditions thus becoming more empowered and more aware,” Paringit said. “Let’s partake in this opportunity to contribute, share knowledge, and exchange views,” he added.

DOST said that the “MASDAN” app is not only meant for Manila Bay concerns. Citizens can also report issues in the Laguna lake area and other areas in the Philippines.

"MASDAN" app can be downloaded on Google play.