PARTICIPANTS of the seminar-workshop titled ‘Thinking Through a Spatial Lens: Enabling a Geospatial Culture in DoST’ discuss topics that build a common understanding of geospatial thinking and exploring how a spatial lens can be integrated into how the agency analyzes problems, plans programs and makes decisions.
Photograph courtesy of DOST GATES PROGRAM
The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) is pushing to strengthen its geospatial culture across the agency by encouraging the integration of spatial thinking into its planning and decision-making.
The initiative was highlighted during the two-day “Thinking Through a Spatial Lens: Enabling a Geospatial Culture in DoST” seminar-workshop organized by the Geospatial Analytics and Technology Solutions Program in Metro Manila.
GATES is a banner research and development program under the agency’s ELEV8PH initiative, serving as its flagship program for geospatial analytics.
The workshop brought together representatives from the DoST Central Office, attached agencies and regional offices to build a common understanding of geospatial thinking.
Participants explored how a spatial lens can be applied and embedded into how the agency understands problems, designs interventions and delivers programs.
In a message delivered by DoST Undersecretary for Research and Development Leah J. Buendia, Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. challenged participants to examine their work through a spatial lens.
He urged them to consider where location matters, what can be better understood through spatial data, and where geospatial approaches can improve decisions, programs or services.
“I hope we move from knowing about geospatial technologies, to appreciating their value, understanding their application, and identifying where they can meaningfully contribute to our work,” Solidum said.
“Let us explore the possibilities, and be proactive in identifying where geospatial approaches can help us do our work better,” he added.
The first day focused on the foundations of geospatial thinking, covering basic concepts, the value of spatial data, applications in the local context and global practices.
Dr. Alexis Richard C. Claridades, an associate professor at the UP Diliman Department of Geodetic Engineering, guided participants through the fundamentals of geospatial information.
Meantime, Dr. Ariel C. Blanco, a professor at UP DGE and former director of the Space Information Infrastructure Bureau of the Philippine Space Agency, presented local applications across various sectors.
Participants also gained international perspectives. Luc Verelst, team leader of the EU-funded National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme for the Philippines, discussed the European Union’s geospatial architecture, including Copernicus, INSPIRE and DestinE.
