3rd ERDT Congress
3rd ERDT Congress ties up with PCIEERD to tackle Science and Technology and Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
After Patents and Commercialization in 2012 and Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2013, the Engineering Research and Development for Technology (ERDT) in partnership with Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD) once again successfully managed to converge its eight-technology inclined universities to discuss the very timely and significant concerns of disaster risk reduction and management at its 3rd ERDT Congress. “Science and Technology for Disaster Preparedness and Resiliency” was the theme of this year’s Congress.
Held last July 25, 2014 during the celebration of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) National Science and Technology Week at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, the 3rd ERDT Congress was full of showcase from the jolly yet informative plenary presentations down to the nerve-racking announcement of best posters. Aside from the faculty and scholars of the ERDT consortium universities, officials and researchers from the industry, non-government organizations and other local universities were also present during the whole day event.
ERDT Program Leader Dr. Aura C. Matias welcoming participants of the 3rd ERDT Congress.
The Congress was graced by the welcome remarks given by the ERDT Program Leader Dr. Aura C. Matias and the opening remarks delivered by the DOST Secretary Hon. Mario G. Montejo. This was immediately followed by an opening message from the Climate Change Commission Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Sec. Mary Ann Lucille Sering who shared her insights on the linkage and challenges of climate change and disaster risk management.
Science Education Institute Director Dr. Josette T. Biyo, DOST Secretary Hon. Mario G. Montejo, Climate Change Commission Executive Director Sec. Mary Ann Lucille Sering, and ERDT Program Leader Dr. Aura C. Matias posing for a group shot.
The whole day Congress was jam-packed with outstanding lectures. The first plenary presentation was delivered by Dr. Emmanuel M. Luna, Professor at the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Social Work and Community Development who shown the social aspects of disaster management through his presentation titled “Reaching Out for Breath: Issues and Challenges for Disaster Risk Reduction.”
Dr. Emmanuel M. Luna receiving his plaque and token of appreciation from ERDT Program Leader Dr. Aura C. Matias.
After the first lecture, UP College of Engineering Associate Professor Dr. Enrico C. Paringit explained the DREAM Program, an international award winning project in the field of geo-informatics through his presentation titled “Mapping the Hazards of our Environment through Nationwide Disaster Risk Exposure Assessment for Mitigation.”
UP Department of Geodetic Engineering Associate Professor and DREAM-LiDAR Program Leader Dr. Enrico C. Paringit explaining how his project works.
Another related geo-informatics lecture was delivered by Dr. Norman Kerle, Associate Professor and ERDT Visiting Professor from the Faculty of Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation of the University of Twente, The Netherlands with his presentation on “Utility of geo-informatics for disaster risk management: linking structural damage assessment, recovery and resilience.”
Climate Change Commission Ambassador and 3rd ERDT Congress host Mr. Atom Araullo asking question to Dr. Norman Kerle.
On the Philippines’ experience of the devastating Typhoon Yolanda Storm Surge, Professor Dr. Cesar L. Villanoy of the UP Marine Science Institute gave a presentation on how we can best understand the development of such storm surge using a scientific model.
UP Marine Science Institute Professor Dr. Cesar L. Villanoy demonstrating how to understand Typhoon Yolanda Storm Surge using a scientific model.
Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology Director Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. shocked and calmed the audience through his frightening yet witty, informative, and comical presentation of “Preparing for the Big One” or anticipating and preparing for the massive earthquake that can hit the metropolis anytime.
PHILVOCS Director Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. discussing why and how we should prepare for the probable big earthquake that can hit Metro Manila.
This lecture was then followed by the presentation on the different instruments and devices that can be utilized for early warning systems and this was demonstrated by UP Los Baños Associate Professor Nelio C. Altoveros.
UP Los Banos Associate Professor Nelio C. Altoveros giving his presentation on instrumentation R&D for early warning system.
Another comical yet substantive presentation was given by the Green Economist Governor and the Father of Albay Hon. Joey S. Salceda through his lecture titled “Best Practices of Disaster Risk Management in Albay.” The function room was filled by laughter as Gov. Salceda presented their best practices using culture-based approaches.
Albay Governor Hon. Joey S. Salceda enlightening the participants on the concrete measures the province employes in reducing risks brought by disasters.
The last plenary lecture was presented by UP Institute of Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Benito M. Pacheco who tackled “Disaster Risk Management Education in the Philippines.” Dr. Pacheco showcased how Civil Engineering 10 or the DMAPS (Disaster Mitigation, Adaptation and Preparedness) was conceptualized and implemented in UP as a general course where students from various disciplines can enrol into and come up with a multi-disciplinary projects that can address disaster risk management.
UP Institute of Civil Engineering Professor Dr. Benito M. Pacheco receiving his plaque and token of appreciation from PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara and ERDT Program Leader Dr. Aura C. Matias.
Before the day ends, a poster session was held to display ERDT scholars’ researches and to invite interaction from co-scholars and other participants through question and answer and further suggestions to improve their studies if needed. Announcement of best posters succeeded the session. The scholars who won this year’s best posters were Nikko M. Barongan from De La Salle University for the Energy Track (Power Output Optimization of DSSC with FeNi Codopant, TiO-2 Photoanode and Carbon as Counter Electrode), Rowena B. Carpio from UP Diliman for the Environment and Infrastructure Track (Growth, Lipid Content, and Lipid Profile of the Green Alga, Chlorella vulgaris (Beij.), Under Different Concentrations of Fe and CO2), Diogenes Armando D. Pascua from the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology for the Information, Communication and Technology Track (Development of a Mobile Robot as a Test Bed for Tele-Presentation), Angelo R. Dela Cruz from UP Diliman for the Semiconductor and Electronics Track (Adaptive Intra-Refresh rate Algorithm for Joint Source-Channel Video Coding Over Wireless Channel), Jayryn D. Javier from the Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology for the Manufacturing and Machinery Track (Thermodynamic Evaluation of the Extraction of Lead from Assaying Waste Cupels), and Kenneth Roi P. Toral from De La Salle University for the Best Poster that conforms to the 3rd ERDT Congress’ theme (Structural Retrofitting of Reinforced Concrete Beams using Exterior Post Tensioning).
Participants grilling poster entries of ERDT scholars.
The Congress ended with the closing remarks delivered by PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara.
The Congress was hosted by Climate Change Commission Ambassador and ABS-CBN news correspondent Mr. Alfonso Tomas P. Araullo, and former ERDT scholar Dr. Joel Ilao and Engr. Irene Ubay-Anongphouth who are both current faculty members of the De La Salle University.
Below are the copies of plenary presentations:
Reaching Out for Breath: Issues and Challenges for Disaster Risk Reduction
Dr. Emmanuel M. Luna
Dr. Enrico C. Paringit
Dr. Norman Kerle
Understanding the Development of the Typhoon Yolanda Storm Surge using a Storm Surge Model
Dr. Cesar L. Villanoy
Preparing for the Big One
Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr.
Instrumentation R&D for Early Warning System
Prof. Nelio C. Altoveros
Best Practices of Disaster Risk Management in Albay
Hon. Joey S. Salceda
Disaster Risk Management Education in the Philippines
Dr. Benito M. Pacheco
Below are the poster entries per R&D track submitted by ERDT scholars:
Environment and Infrastructure R&D track
Information, Communication and Technology R&D Track
Manufacturing and Machinery R&D Track
Semiconductor and Electronics R&D Track
