DOST partners with Japan agency for AI disaster analytics
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) formalized its partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to advance the department’s AI ecosystem for disaster risk analytics.
The GATES program
DOST and JICA will collaborate on DOST’s Geospatial Analytics & Technology (GATES) program.
The GATES program is a three-year national initiative to unify geospatial and climate data across government agencies.
The DOST network of agencies include the DOST-Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (DOST-PAGASA), and the DOST-Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (DOST-PHIVOLCS).
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With the geospatial data and artificial intelligence, the program will assist in enhancing evidence-based policymaking and enable digital transformation.
“The DOST is grateful for this partnership with JICA through its Digital Transformation Lab,” DOST Sec. Renato U. Solidum Jr. said in a press release.
“As we continue to build the GATES Program, this collaboration provides an important opportunity to draw from international expertise and best practices in data governance, digital transformation, and the responsible use of AI.”
Objectives of the collaboration
The two main objectives of DOST and JICA’s collaboration is to strengthen the data platform foundation and to turn data into decisions.
JICA aims to support DOST in building a reliable and secure platform for analytics. Then, the data gathered by the platform will guide government responses to disasters to minimize risks.
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The GATES program is one of the many projects DOST is running to provide science-based solutions.
Longstanding partnership
JICA has supported DOST projects since the 1970s, especially in disaster risk management analysis.
“This is not about Japan bringing solutions to the Philippines. This is about two nations, united by shared vulnerability and shared resolution, building a platform for evidence-based policies together. The expertise lies here — in the DOST scientists, the PAGASA forecasters, the PHIVOLCS researchers. JICA DXLab’s role is to walk alongside you and help accelerate what DOST has already set in motion,” said JICA Philippines Chief Representative Baba Takashi in the same press release.
The collaboration will be through the JICA Digital Transformation Lab (JICA DXLab) and is set to begin this June.
