DREAM LiDAR Technology wows crowd in National Science and Technology Week 2014

The DREAM booth exhibit continued to increase awareness of LiDAR technology to the public as an early warning system and land use planning tool during the DOST National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) held last July 23-28, 2014 in the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City. Avid NSTW-goers from the media, Local Government Units (LGUs), and students from Science High Schools, among others, sought the latest information and updates on LiDAR coverage.

The 5-day NSTW exhibit organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) once again displayed to the public the latest research and development in science and technology in the Philippines, with the theme ‘Philippines as a SCIENCE NATION’ to promote the necessity of advancements in science for the improvement of quality of life in our country. This includes disaster mitigation technology utilized through the DREAM Program and Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH). The DREAM booth exhibit was located beside the booths of Project NOAH, the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), and the Philippine Institute of Volcanology (PhiVOLCS).

In this annual event, a special opening ceremony was held on July 23, 2014 which was the first day of the National Science and Technology Week. On July 24, 2014, policymakers from different fields, including DOST key officials attended cocktails during the evening when DOST Secretary Mario Montejo, as well as an Ambassador from the Department of Foreign Affairs, University of the Philippines Chancellor Michael Tan, all toasted to the success of the event and to the milestones of achievements of DOST.

Present in the DREAM booth were Data Acquisition Component (DAC) Chief Science Research Specialist Christopher Cruz, as well as Research Associates from the DAC, the Flood Modelling Component, and the Training Component to answer questions regarding LiDAR technology. A 3D scale model incorporating the key elements of all the sectors affected by LiDAR such as the business sector, agriculture, renewable energy, and forestry, among others, served as the centerpiece of the DREAM booth.