PHIL-LIDAR 2.B.6.LIDAR Data Processing, Modeling and Validation by HEIs for the Detailed Resource Assessment in Luzon–Bicol (Region V)

Duration: June 2014 – May 2017 (36 months)
Funding Agency: Department of Science and Technology – Grants-in-Aid
Monitoring Agency: Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD)
Program Lead Implementing Agency: UP Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry (UPTCAGP), University of the Philippines – Diliman

The Phil-LiDAR 2 program is a nationwide detailed resource assessment initiative that has branched off the Disaster Risk Exposure and Assessment Mitigation (DREAM) program. The program makes use of remote sensing technology, particularly Light Detection and Ranging or LiDAR, to produce highly detailed maps which will be turned over to concerned local government units (LGUs). The program is being funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and monitored by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD).

The program aims to map the natural resources of the country. It is participated by fifteen (15) high education institutions (HEIs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs) all throughout the country. The program aims to produce maps with the following applications: production of high value crops, irrigation assessment, aquaculture production, forest protection and discovery of renewable energy sources.

Phil-LiDAR 2 is composed of two subprograms which aim to collect, collate and process LiDAR and other remotely sensed data from different areas of the country. The two programs are: (a) Program 1 – Automation of Feature Extraction from LIDAR data for the Nationwide Detailed Resources Assessment and (b) Program 2 – LIDAR Data Processing, Modeling and Validation for Nationwide Resources Assessment.

Among the fifteen educational institutions involved, the Ateneo de Naga University (ADNU) has been tasked to implement the second subprogram throughout the six provinces of the Bicol Region, namely: Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, Albay, Sorsogon, Catanduanes and Masbate.

The second program is further subdivided into five components: (a) Philippine Agricultural Resources Mapping (PARMap), (b) Coastal Resources Mapping (CoastMap), (c) Forest Resources Extraction using LiDAR Surveys (FRExLS), (d) Development of the Philippine Hydrologic Datasets (PHD) and (e) Renewable Energy Resource Mapping (REMap). The ADNU has committed to all five components of the program and will be implementing each all throughout the Bicol Region.

The Ateneo de Naga University is mentored and guided by the Training Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry office of the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD-TCAGP). The UPD-TCAGP has developed different methodologies which have been passed on to the different institutions for their own implementation of the program. The methodology includes data collection throughout the Philippines. These data is then used for data processing in which LiDAR data and other remotely sensed data are analyzed and resource maps are produced.  The program makes use of different image analysis algorithms to adequately produce high quality maps. This involves the use of image analysis and GIS software to produce accurate maps. These maps, in turn, will be given to local government units surrounding the region for planning and risk management purposes.