DOST-ASTI, LLDA ink pact on AI project to preserve Laguna de Bay


The Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to officially mark the agencies’ partnership on the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence for Land and Water Applications in Laguna de Bay Region (AI4LaWa).

(DOST-ASTI)

The MOA was signed between the DOST-ASTI and the LLDA on Oct. 19 to formally kick off the agencies’ collaboration on the implementation of the AI4LaWa.

“With AI4LaWa, both agencies will work together to further strengthen the watershed management and Laguna de Bay monitoring using earth observation data and other science and technology (S&T) infrastructures of DOST-ASTI,” DOST Secretary Fortunato “Boy” T. de la Peña said.

Through the technology developed by Remote Sensing and Data Science: DATOS Help Desk or DATOS, the "project aims to develop a monitoring system that uses temporal satellite images to map aquaculture structures in Laguna Lake and detect changes through time", the DOST chief said

The DATOS is the DOST-ASTI’s geospatial applications initiative that applies Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and other data science techniques to remotely sensed data. It is funded by DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

“Through analysis of temporal landcover, decision-makers can formulate science-based programs to help protect these watersheds and consequently, help manage the preservation and maintenance of the bay,” de la Peña said.