Developments in the prototypes of the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) Automated Guide-way Transit System (AGT) sheds more light in addressing the grave lack of environmentally sustainable technology that will ease the country's air pollution and traffic.

With air pollution in Metro Manila hitting higher than the acceptable level set by Republic Act 8749, and congested roadways causing high traffic related costs, the need for sustainable technology alternatives in the transport industry is imperative.

Based on the Philippines' Republic Act 8749, also known as the Philippine Clean Air Act, the allowable total suspended particulates (TSPs) or amount of dust and solid pollutants in the air is 90 ug/Ncm. However, according to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources' (DENR) Environmental Management Bureau, the TSPs in Metro Manila for 2013 reached 118 ug/Ncm and is triggered by smoke-belching vehicles.

The two resource persons for the IEC (From left: Mr. Oscar Victor Lizardo and Ms. Rachel Habana)

Accurate information about environmental hazards, such as impending floods and methane emissions, is now accessible with just a few clicks of the fingertip. This is made possible through the Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) "Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards", popularly known as Project NOAH, and the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development's (PCIEERD) initiated website "iesmanila.com/lgis".

These two technologies were bannered in the last leg of PCIEERD's Information Education and Communication (IEC) Campaign in line with the celebration of the DOST Regional Cluster Science and Technology Fair (RSTF) last November 15,2014 at SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang, Davao City.

Once is an honor, but twice is a testament of true Filipino eminence.

The Department of Science and Technology's (DOST) and the University of the Philippine's 3D Mapping project called Disaster Risk Assessment, Exposure and Mitigation-Light Ranging and Detection Technology (DREAM-LiDAR), has once again been recognized in the world, specifically in Asia, as it was chosen as Asia Geospatial Excellence Awardee by the Asia Pacific Geospatial Media and Communications.

DREAM program leader Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, a professor from the University of the Philippines Diliman, together with DOST Assistant Secretary Raymund E. Liboro and Dr. Fidel R. Nemenzo, UP Vice Chancellor for Research and Development, received the Asia Geospatial Excellence Award presented during the Asia Geospatial Forum 2014 on November 25-27 at Hotel Mulia, Jakarta, Indonesia.

A year ago, the Philippines experienced super typhoon Yolanda – dubbed as the strongest tropical cyclone to hit land in history. Yolanda barreled the Visayas region, notably Leyte and Samar, and caused tremendous loss of life and destruction of property. In its wake, it left the affected areas with no basic infrastructure, power and communication channels.

The disruption of vital communication infrastructure in the affected areas hampered the delivery of aid and relief. In the first hours after the storm, rescue and recovery efforts were slow because coordination between the national government, NGOs and the affected LGUs cannot be done immediately. Assembly of command headquarters and support teams were very difficult because of the chaos and the absence of communication. Delayed assistance to the survivors resulted in hunger, health complications, and epidemics that led to more loss of life.

The latest biotechnology applications in the fields of health and medicine, food security and agriculture, and environment will be featured in the 10th Biotechnology Week which will run from November 24-28, 2014.

With the theme, “Edukasyon sa Bioteknolohiya: Pagyamanin para sa Kinabukasan Natin”, the National Biotechnology Week is an annual event organized by Departments of Science and Technology, Agriculture, Environment and Natural Resources, Education, Health, Interior and Local Government, and Trade and Industry and Commission on Higher Education as this year’s lead agency.