06/10/2026
๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐, ๐๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ, ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ฅ๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ฌโ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง, ๐๐๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ค ๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ
The Department of Science and Technology โ Caraga, in collaboration with the EU Technical Assistance for the Philippinesโ Copernicus Capacity Support Programme (CopPhil) and the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), conducted a 4-Day LGU Training Programme on Earth Observation (EO), Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the Use of Copernicus Data from September 28 to October 1, 2026, in Butuan City.
Key personnel from the City/Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices (CDRRMO/MDRRMO), Planning Offices, and Environment and Natural Resources Offices, along with representatives from DOST Caraga and Caraga State University attended the training-workshop. The activity provided a collaborative learning platform for strengthening the technical capacity of partner local government units under the DOST Smart and Sustainable Communities Program (SSCP) in Caraga.
The program formally opened with a video message from H.E. Massimo Santoro, Ambassador of the European Union to the Philippines, followed by messages from DOST Caraga Regional Director Engr. Noel M. Ajoc and CopPhil Capacity Development Advisor Engr. Mari Trix Estomata, highlighting the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing the use of space-based information and geospatial technologies for local development. Furthermore, Provincial Director Meriam B. Bouquia also presented the Smart and Sustainable Communities Program, highlighting its efforts to support LGUs to adopt science, technology, and innovation-driven approaches for more resilient and sustainable communities.
Throughout the four-day program, participants gained foundational and practical knowledge on GIS, Earth Observation, satellite imagery, Sentinel-2 data, and QGIS through lectures, demonstrations, interactive sessions, and hands-on exercises facilitated by Mr. Alvin Baloloy, Earth Observation Expert and Instructor, and Ms. Annie Lyn S. Arias of PhilSA, covering topics such as Sentinel-2 image interpretation, spectral indices, EO-GIS integration, land-use and land-cover classification, land-cover change analysis, and the application of EO data in disaster management.
SARAI Caraga representatives Engr. Noneth Labastilla and Engr. Doreina Lawangon also featured in the activity, introducing Project SARAI and facilitating sessions on earth observation and geospatial technologies for agricultural and environmental monitoring.
The training further included PhilSA-led sessions on Flood Impact Assessment, Data Allocation and Operational Information (DALOI), and other EO data sources, providing participants with additional tools for informed local planning and decision-making.
Through the continuing collaboration of DOST Caraga, CopPhil, PhilSA, SARAI Caraga, and partner SSCP LGUs, the initiative advances the use of space-based information and geospatial technologies for smarter, more resilient, and sustainable communities in Caraga.
