Official Research, Development, and Extension Magazine

Vol. 10 No.1
of the University of the Philippines Los Baños September 2018

Seeing
from
space PAGE 2

Mapping
with Light
PAGE 14

OTHER STORIES:
Mykovam Biofertilizer
PAGE 1

How to grow your own

vegetable salad at home
PAGE 32
About
About the the
cover Cover

Natural disasters are not new to Filipinos. Our
country is definitely not deprived of typhoons,
floods, monsoon rains, and earthquakes among
others.
Just recently, Typhoon Ompong (Mangkhut)
claimed at least 80 fatalities while almost the same
number remain missing in the northern regions of
the Philippines which were devastated by floods
and landslides.
With climate change looming over the global
landscape, disaster risk reduction and mitigation
has become a necessity.
Over the past years, the Philippines has invested
in research and action plans that aim to reduce the
risks and negative effects of these natural disasters.
The cover photo features a digital terrain model
of one of the study sites of the national project
Phil-LiDAR 2, of which the University of the
Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) was one of
fourteen SUCs and HEIs that worked together
to create detailed and up-to-date maps that
can provide valuable basis for LGUs to develop
and operationalize programs for local resource
management.
The UPLB team was assigned the main task of
mapping Laguna and MIMAROPA’s natural
resources from LiDAR data which can aid
in planning, decision-making, and policy
formulation. This is just one of the many
examples of how our university contributes to
national development.
Being part of the country’s national university
system, our efforts and endeavours are always
pointed towards the direction of helping our
fellowmen.

Editorial Board Do you have any

reactions, comments,
managing editor
or suggestions?
Maria Rowena Beatriz Q. Inzon
writers/contributors/photographers Are you interested to
layout
Regina Mae C. Ongkiko Ronaniel A. Almeda write for us? Do you have
Lawrence N. Garcia a story to share?
production/circulation Laureano B. Lanosia Jr.
Jose Elmo H. Azores Donald A. Luna
Alex C. Genil Vandolph R. Maningas Turn to the last page and
Reynaldo T. Magsino
Michael B. Biguelme
Heidi D. Mendoza see how you can
Regina Mae C. Ongkiko
Sarena Grace L. Quiñones be a contributor.
editorial consultant Ana Margarita S. Palma
Florante A. Cruz Precious R. Zara

advisers
Vice Chancellor Rex B. Demafelis
Assistant to the Vice Chancellor
Glenn S. Lubuguin
 EDITORIAL NOTE

As a constituent campus of the National University, the University of the Philippines Los Baños aims to
produce research outputs such as technologies that can help the Filipino people attain for the country its
much sought-after national development.

This particular issue of the RDE Digest focuses on UPLB’s initiatives as well as the university’s role in
producing solutions to problems and issues that have long plagued the nation.

Explore the nanotechnologies developed by university researchers, and be amazed at the big problems
that these extremely small materials can help solve. Read about two major projects that employed the use
of the Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology to help mitigate disaster risks and hazards posed by
floods and other natural disasters.

We also take a look at the possible future of Philippine agriculture and how the project SARAI has been
using real-time images taken by satellites to produce a monitoring and forecasting system to help our farmers.
Then we take a step forward by looking back at why things are the way they are. This is in the form of
MODECERA, a project with the goal of understanding our ecology.

The RDE Digest accepts contributions as we encourage readers to indulge in these stories, contribute
their own thoughts, and be a part of this emerging writing community. ■

The Editorial Team

 WHAT’S INSIDE?
FEATURED TECHNOLOGY
1 Mykovam® biofertilizer

RESEARCH UPDATES
2 Seeing from Space: The Future of
Philippine Agriculture

8 Scaling Things Up: 8 “Small”

UPLB Technologies that can
Impact Big on People’s Lives

26 Understanding the
Bigger Picture
2 8 26
STORIES FROM THE FIELD
14 Mapping with Light:
Phil-LiDAR 1 and Phil-LiDAR 2

14
LIFE HACKS
If you are interested to contribute
articles, turn to the last page 32 Grow your
to find out how! own vegetable
salad at home
using SNAP
Interested to subscribe
Hydroponics
to future issues? Email us at
ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
TECHNOLOGY

RDE DIGEST 1
 Seeing
from
Space
The Future of Philippine Agriculture
BY HEIDI D. MENDOZA

PHOTO FROM OVCRE PHOTO DATABASE

2 RDE DIGEST
RESEARCH UPDATES

RDE DIGEST 3
 F
armers struggle with a myriad of problems in
their farms. Their struggles can span from new
pests, lack of water supply, lack of information
about the soil they’re planting on, to running out
of available laborers to help them with planting and
harvesting. Other external factors like typhoons
and prolonged droughts aren’t even included in the
equation yet. When push comes to shove, a number of
events can happen all at the same time.
What makes farming really hard is that the farmers
take daily risks with the big hope of harvesting the
returns at the end of the season. Aside from being
labor intensive, farming is also heavily reliant on
information. Farmers should have information readily
available to make calculated risks.
This is where seeing from space can help our farmers.
Since 2015, Project SARAI (Smarter Approaches
to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the
Philippines) has been using real-time images taken
by satellites to produce a monitoring and forecasting
system for the agriculture sector.
Changing weather patterns and farmers’ feeling of
helplessness
If you ask rice farmers how they deal with typhoons,
many farmers will answer you with “Wala, nagdadasal
lang kami na sana lumihis o mawala na lang yung
PHOTO FROM SARAI UPLB
▲Reliable and timely crop forecasts are essential in food security assessment.
4 RDE DIGEST
bagyo.” In the case of rice farmers, the most that
they can do is to monitor weather updates from the
television or radio, and harvest their rice farms before
the typhoon hits their area. If the typhoon hits at a
crucial growth stage of rice, farmers suffer a major, or
even worse, total loss in production.
“Wala ka namang magagawa diyan sa panahon, ‘yan
na ‘yan e,” a 61-year old rice farmer who has been
farming for more than 20 years said when asked about
how they cope with the changing weather patterns.
“Dati, alam namin kung kailan iinit, o uulan, alam din
namin kung kailan dapat magtanim. Ngayon, iba na
ang panahon.”
The situation during dry season is even more difficult
for rainfed farms where the farmers do not have
sources of irrigation aside from rainfall. In some cases,
the farmers install shallow tube wells in their farms;
but the problem is that there is still not enough water
from the ground.
SARAI-Enhanced Agricultural Monitoring System
(SEAMS)
Project SARAI developed a near real-time agricultural
monitoring system called SEAMS using free and
open-source satellite images. The satellite images can
be used to compute for the Normalized Difference
Vegetation Index (NDVI). NDVI is a simple
 PHOTO FROM SARAI UPLB

▲Through technology, alerts and advisories are more accessible.

quantification of vegetation by measuring the From satellite images to enhancing farm protocols
difference between near-infrared and red light.
The near-infrared is the spectral signal being reflected While the monitoring scheme may seem distant, the
by agricultural areas while the red light is the light results can be used to develop content for farming
being absorbed by the crops. When processed using information that can be used on the ground. SEAMS
a Geographical Information System (GIS) software, has already been used to inform the Department of
the resulting spectral signatures can be mapped using Agriculture (DA) Central Operations office on the
different shades of green. extent of agricultural damage caused by typhoons
Lando (2015), Lawin (2016), and Nina (2016).
The different shades The current
of green provide the
NDVI values (from –1 For the next three years, damage assessment
protocols entail the
to +1) which can be
used to determine the Project SARAI will agricultural officers
or technicians to
specific growth stage of
a given crop. Each crop monitor agricultural lands visit the field and
rely on farmers’
has its own spectral
signature at a specific in the Philippines planted estimate of damage
to crops. The
growth stage.
with soybean, tomato, and process, while
doable, is prone to
For the past three years,
Project SARAI has been sugarcane. error – either over
or underestimation.
profiling the spectral
signatures of rice, corn, coconut, banana, coffee, In many cases, farmers exaggerate their estimate of
and cacao. For the next three years, Project SARAI damage to their crops after typhoons because they
will include soybean, tomato, and sugarcane in the don’t know the sizes of their farms.
monitoring work.

RDE DIGEST 5
 Representation of SEAMS’ Network Flow

*Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Cocout Authority,

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration, Bureau of Soils and Water Management,
Sugar Regulatory Administration, Philippine Crop Insurance Corporation

As a result of using SEAMS for near real-time damage

assessment, the DA was able to enhance their field
validation protocols. DA officials were also able to
produce more accurate figures and report highly
damaged agricultural areas in a timelier manner.

The agricultural officers, technicians, and extension

workers are now excited to complement their
validation work with SEAMS. SEAMS provides them
with a platform where they can easily input farm
problems such as pest infestation and crop-water
stress. They can also input in the system the exact
dates when the farmers planted their crops so they
can also closely monitor and advise farmers when they
should fertilize.

Expanding network for collaborative monitoring

The monitoring work is now being applied for the

whole country, hence Project SARAI has partnered
with DA Central Office, DA Region 3, and DA
Region 4B (MIMAROPA) to start the work on
collaborative monitoring. The three DA offices have
been oriented by the Project SARAI team on the
possibilities presented by the monitoring system, and
were trained to use the system. All the inputs and
processing software are free and open-source so the
number of people accessing and using the data wasn’t
a problem during the training activities.

With the DA on board with using SEAMS,

monitoring becomes collaborative and more accurate.
DA representatives are able to visit the farms and
▲A sample of a Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) map
6 RDE DIGEST
validate the computed NDVI values and supply the
field data in the monitoring system. Providing farmers
with proactive measures has become easier because
of this collaborative monitoring. Technicians and
extension workers are able to provide farm-specific
recommendations on issues such as pest infestation
with the support of continuous monitoring using the
satellite images.
The years to come for Project SARAI
The reality of externally-funded action research
programs is that they are bound to end. Project
SARAI worked to sustain the whole system by creating
the National Program for Integrated Crop Monitoring
and Forecasting (ICMF) under the University of the
PHOTO FROM PROJECT SARAI
Philippines Los Baños. ICMF works together with
SARAI, such that when the project ends in 2021,
ICMF will continue all the research, development,
and extension work started by SARAI. ICMF will
become the central venue for the monitoring system,
while DA and SUCs* nationwide will serve as the
regional monitoring and research hubs.
One next big thing for Project SARAI is that it
will establish community-level monitoring and
information hubs where farmers can easily go to.
During interviews, farmers usually say “Maganda
nga yang mabigyan kami ng bagong impormasyon
sa pagtatanim, at saka makagamit kami ng mga
teknolohiya.”
An agricultural officer from Occidental Mindoro who
has been trained with SARAI technologies described
Project SARAI as “magiging sandigan ito ng mga
farmers.”
The agricultural officers also saw Project SARAI as an
efficient and accurate system that could help them
better provide services to our Filipino farmers.
The Philippine agriculture sector, despite the perpetual
challenges, continues to grow and to innovate. While
the process may be long and pain-staking, the visions
for it are rewarding for sure and very exciting to
achieve. ■
*Project SARAI is a DOST-PCAARRD funded research program. It
is already on its second phase, running from 2018 until 2021. The
first phase spanned from 2014 to 2018. The second phase involves
12 co-implementing SUCs: Universiry of the Philippines Diliman,
Mariano Marcos State University, Isabela State University, Central
Luzon State University, Western Philippines University, Mindoro State
College of Agriculture and Technology, Bicol University, West Visayas
State University, Central Mindanao University, Cebu Technological
University, University of Science and Technology of Southern
Philippines, and University of Southern Mindanao. Line government
agencies are also on board: DOST-PAGASA, DA Operations, DA-
BSWM, PhilRICE, PCA, SRA, and PCIC.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE RDE DIGEST
What research effort do you want to read about next?
Has your project recently ended?
We accept stories year round.
Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
RDE DIGEST 7
PHOTO BY VR MANINGAS

RESEARCH UPDATES

Scaling
Things Up
8 “Small” UPLB Technologies
that can Impact Big on
People’s Lives
BY ANA MARGARITA S. PALMA AND RONANIEL A. ALMEDA

University scientists find better ways

to make people’s lives easier by
introducing technologies that
involve manipulation of
extremely small materials.

8 RDE DIGEST
S
cientists and researchers are always on the hunt
for novel ways to improve our way of living
that even the smallest of things like atoms and
molecules matter. Just recently, interests are rising on
materials the size of one billionth of a meter or 500 to
100,000 times thinner than a hair strand.
These materials, aptly called as nanomaterials, are
the focal point of nanotechnology. In the advent
of interdisciplinary efforts of basic sciences and
engineering, nanotechnology has become an integral
field in the 21st century. Nanotechnology deals with
the development and manipulation of the properties
of nanomaterials, which are distinguished on the basis
of their chemistry and size.
Although nanotechnology is still an emerging field of
study, many countries set it as a priority research field
and is one of the key elements in advanced research
and manufacturing. In the Philippines, it has been
set as one of the priority programs of the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) and several
academic institutions.
In fact, the University of the Philippines Los Baños
(UPLB) launched an interdisciplinary nanotechnology
studies center in 2010, now well-known as the UPLB
Nanotechnology Program, “to revolutionize and
create a paradigm shift for 21st century agriculture,
forestry, food and industry.” Spearheaded by Dr.
Milagros M. Peralta of the Institute of Chemistry
(IC) of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the
center promotes collaborative work among researchers
from the College of Engineering and Agro-Industrial
Technology (CEAT), College of Agriculture and Food
One of the thrusts of the program is the use of
agricultural by-products that are often considered
as waste in agricultural processing. This inspired the
collaborative work of Dr. Engelbert K. Peralta of
CEAT and Dr. Milagros M. Peralta in using rice hull,
an agricultural waste produced in millions of tons
every year. Reported as a good source of silica, rice
hull was used by the researchers and their research
teams to develop efficient and cost-effective techniques
in nanosilica synthesis. The teams were able to make
nanosilica products of high purity, large surface area,
and high porosity. Several technologies were developed
as offshoot applications of nanosilica.
Nanosilica-based filters for heavy metal
remediation
Arsenic naturally occurs in soil, groundwater, hot
springs, but more pronounced in locations of volcanic
origin. It becomes toxic due to its high potential to
bioaccumulate. In 2012, arsenic and its compounds
were classified as a Class I carcinogen by the
International Agency for Research on Cancer and were
found to be linked to lung, skin and spleen cancer, as
well as leukemia. One can be exposed to arsenic which
has accumulated in food, drinking water, or air.
In the Philippines, a significant number of households
are susceptible to arsenic poisoning because they
rely on deep well and tap water as major sources of
drinking water.

PHOTO FROM THE UPLB NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

Science (CAFS), College of Forestry and Natural
Resources (CFNR), National Institute of Molecular
Biology and Biotechnology (BIOTECH), and the
Institute of Mathematical Sciences and Physics
(IMSP).

The program has already generated

various nanomaterial-based
products which can be the
starting point of many novel
technologies. The program
has found ways to use
agricultural by-products and
wastes to produce materials
that transcend the grassroots
levels to various industries as well. ▲Nanobeads can be put into water filters
for home-use, making drinking water safer.
RDE DIGEST 9
 This paved the way for the inception of nano-based
filter material pioneered by Dr. Milagros M. Peralta
and her research team. They developed a method and
material that can remove arsenic from contaminated
water using nanosilica-based beads. Owing to its
nanoscale size, high surface area, and high porosity,
the modified nanosilica beads can serve as filtering
media and provide a cost-effective means to effectively
sequester arsenic from contaminated drinking water.
This technology has potential applications in mining
companies, water purifying companies, water filter
manufacturers, and commercial establishments.
Nanosilica-in-fluid coolant
Protection of parts and optimization of machine
operation are so important in the vehicle and
equipment industry that they often use lubricants,
engineered fluids, and water. Other available coolants
are often petroleum- or oil-based that are typically in
the liquid or gas phase and toxic to humans.
This predicament has led Engr. Ma. Cristine
Conception D. Ignacio of UPLB CEAT to develop an
efficient and cost-effective alternative, the nanoscale
material-based coolant called “nanocoolant.”
Engr. Ignacio made a nanoparticle-based coolant
that uses nanosilica from rice hull ash and combined
with a base fluid, known as nanosilica-in-fluid
▲Tomatoes thrive better in soil
with nano-silica fertilizer.
PHOTO BY LB LANOSIA
10 RDE DIGEST
coolant. It takes advantage of the uniformly dispersed
nanoparticles that increase thermal conductivity of the
fluid and has anti-clogging properties that does not
damage the equipment.
The optimized method of producing nanosilica-
in-fluid coolant is an affordable alternative to
existing ones in the market without compromising
efficacy. It has promising applications in chemical
manufacturing, oil and gas, power generation, and
even food and beverage industries.
Nanosilica-based fertilizer for tomatoes
For an agricultural country like the Philippines, it
is important to achieve maximum crop yields in the
farm. Several commodities such as tomato plants are
easy to grow but are prone to diseases during the wet
season. It becomes doubly difficult to optimally grow
tomato plants due to unpredictable weather. This
result in a decrease in production and consequent
price hikes affecting both farmers and consumers. This
is where the technology of Engr. Maria Morissa D.
Lu of UPLB CEAT comes in to help. After putting
some tweaks to nanosilica, Engr. Lu and her research
team developed a nanosilica-based fertilizer for tomato
plants. Silica, while not essential to plant growth, is a
beneficial soil component.
The nanosilica-based fertilizer can improve the
seed and germination characteristics of plants by
promoting nutrient retention and high water holding
capacity, thereby increasing germination and growth
rate of tomatoes. It can also increase the yield of
marketable fresh tomatoes as well as its resistance to
unfavorable conditions.
Some farmers use rice hull as fertilizer because it
has 92% silica, but the nanosilica-based fertilizer
formulation makes it more efficient, cost-effective,
and beneficial not only for tomatoes but also to other
plants.
Fruitect® coating technology
High-value agricultural produce is often transported
locally before being exported to foreign countries.
Since most fresh produce are susceptible to spoilage
especially during transport, distributors and exporters
often rely on certain methods such as refrigeration,
humidity control, and application of chemicals to
prolong shelf life of their products.
 CARABAO MANGOES STORED AT 13°C
Treated with Fruitect® No treatment

DAY 0

DAY 4

DAY 8
PHOTO FROM THE UPLB NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

DAY 12
▲Mangoes remain green even
after 16 days when coated with
DAY 16 Fruitect® and stored at 13°C

Other than spoilage, there are several factors which
affect the freshness of these products. To address this
concern, Dr. Veronica C. Sabularse and Dr. Hidelisa
P. Hernandez of the Institute of Chemistry combined
their efforts to produce a safe and environmentally-
friendly coating technology for mangoes and papaya
called Fruitect®.
Although there are several coating technologies in
the market, Fruitect®
uses nanotechnology
by adding nanoscaled Fruitect is specific to
material into the
fruit coatings. They prolonging shelf life of
came up with two
technologies – the first mango and papaya fruits.
one is a pectin-based
nanocoating from
mango peels and nata de coco while the second is
based on hemicellulose from pineapple crown leaves.
It is interesting to note that these technologies used
agricultural by-products that most people find useless.
To this date, Fruitect® is specific to prolonging shelf
life of mango and papaya fruits, which are among
the country’s top fruit export commodities and are
summer favorites of many Filipinos.
Fruitect® won the grand prize in the recently
concluded 2nd Tech Plan Demo Day 2018 of Leave a
Nest conducted last May 26 at QBO Innovation Hub
in Makati, Metro Manila.
Nanocrystals and nanofibers
This technology takes advantage of a natural product
that abounds in the country. The inventor, Dr. Ramon
Razal of UPLB CFNR came up with nanocrystals
and nanofibers from locally-produced nanocellulose
from bamboo.
This paved the
way to promising
technologies that
use nanocellulose
and nanofibers as
integral components
of nanopolymer
composites.
Due to its nanoscale structure, high strength,
versatility, and renewable nature of their materials,
nanocellulose and nanofibers have piqued the interest
of researchers not only in UPLB but also in several
countries around the world.
Offshoot products and innovations of Dr. Razal’s
research include termiticide coatings for wood,
nanopaper, biodegradable packaging, nanocellulose
and nanofiber suspensions, to name a few. As
an emerging technology here in the Philippines,

RDE DIGEST 11
 nanocellulosic and nanofibrous technology will help
in creating extensive applications.
Nanoencapsulated nutraceuticals and
nosmeceuticals
Becoming more popular
these days and in the
advent of the emerging
trend of “beauty
inside out,” orally
consumed nutraceutical
supplements and
topically applied
NanoQ is a powder form of nanoencapsulated
quercetin. In this technology, a naturally-occurring
powerful antioxidant quercetin was encapsulated
into nanoliposomal rice bran phospholipids. Analysis
and evaluation of this product showed 883-fold
increase in antioxidant
Nanoencapsulation can potency, controlled
and sustained release
benefit other products of the antioxidant
to target matrix,
because it improves increase solubility and
prolonged storage
storage life and stability. stability.

cosmeceuticals are Nanoencapsulation is

considered to work
together to promote physical appearance and well-
being.
As a pioneer of nanotechnological applications in
functional food and nutraceutical and cosmeceutical
research in UPLB, Dr. Evelyn B. Rodriguez, a retired
professor from the Institute of Chemistry, developed a
nanoencapsulated product called NanoQ.
a technique, in which
a bioactive material or product is encapsulated into
nano-sized particles. It can benefit other products
because it can improve storage life and stability,
control the release of the bioactive compound, and
mask undesirable properties like odor and taste,
among others.
This innovation paved the way for extensive research
by Dr. Rodriguez and her research team into

▲Germination profile of treated and untreated sweet pepper plants

after 21 days. From left to right: control, non-encapsulated, and
PHOTO FROM THE UPLB NANOTECHNOLOGY PROGRAM treated with Nano-PGR
12 RDE DIGEST
PHOTO GROM FREEPIK
applications in the biomedical field, anti-oxidant
supplementation, and nutrition and cosmetic
industries.
Nanoencapsulated plant growth regulators
Another application of nanoencapsulation technology
is the introduction of compounds directly to the plant
itself, one of which was developed by Dr. Lilia M.
Fernando of the UPLB BIOTECH. It is known as
nanoencapsulated plant growth regulators or Nano-
PGR.
The technology introduced by Dr. Fernando and
her team uses plant growth regulators derived from
plant growth-promoting bacteria which are then
nanoencapsulated into a nanoliposomal matrix.
This was tested as effective for coffee, abaca, banana,
and cassava. Aside from being environmentally
friendly, Nano-PGR has resulted in enhanced
germination and rooting of plants because it has
controlled and enhanced delivery even under
simulated stress environments, increased solubility in
water, and high thermal stability. This technology also
showed that nanoencapsulation technology is not only
usable in biomedical or pharmaceutical applications
but also in enhancing the potential of biological and
agricultural processes.
Nanostructured film-based methane gas sensor
A common practice in the agricultural industry is
to transform animal wastes to renewable forms of
energy such as biogas. In fact, there are several biogas
production farms already put up in some parts of the
country that exploit agro-industrial wastes.
During biogas production, methane is produced
for cooking, heating, or lighting. Despite its uses,
methane is a toxic gas that is difficult to detect and
monitor especially in confined areas where it can build
up. Once methane accumulates in the air, it can pose
harm to the workers in a biogas facility, the people,
and the communities near it due to its relative low
explosive limit.
A very useful tool was developed by Mr. Emmanuel
Florido of IMSP to counter the risk of methane
buildup. He developed a sensor using zinc oxide
which can detect methane in biogas-producing farms.
By carefully controlled particle size, the sensor can
detect and quantify methane and other hydrocarbons
even in minute concentrations.
This field sensor has also great potential in
applications for detecting other noxious and toxic
gaseous compounds such as ammonia and butane
with potential use in industrial plants and factories.
Most of the technologies are being refined to make
them more accessible and user-friendly to the public.
Nonetheless, nanotechnology remains a promising
enabler and catalyst of many possibilities, which can
help us realize a wide spectrum of applications not
only in engineered materials, nanomanufacturing,
electronics, and communication, but also in energy,
environment, biomedicine, food, and agricultural
systems.
These applications were considered outside the
realm of possibility before but in the recent years,
nanoscience and nanotechnological applications have
been a “game changer” owing to the high potential of
developed technologies and innovation in advancing
the human experience.
Hence, through the UPLB Nanotechnology Program
and other academic institutions who have been scaling
up materials that cannot be seen by the naked eye, the
abovementioned technologies can help the country
rise up to the demand of transformative technologies
to make a big impact on people’s lives. ■
CONTRIBUTE TO THE RDE DIGEST
What research effort do you want to read about next?
Has your project recently ended?
We accept stories year round.
Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
RDE DIGEST 13
 STORIES FROM THE FIELD

MAPPING
with
LIGHT
OUTPUT FROM PHIL-LIDAR 2 UPLB

Canopy Height Model of Pakil Laguna

14 RDE DIGEST
To build resilient Filipino communities against the
risks of unpredictable weather and natural hazards is
what the DREAM stands for.
In a stricter sense, DREAM is an acronym for Disaster
Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation, a
program which has generated detailed flood hazard
maps for the 18 major river basins of the country
using Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). It is like
mapping flood-prone areas using light.
The DREAM program is one of the nine components
of the government’s Nationwide Operational
Assessment of Hazards Project or Project NOAH for
short. Project NOAH was established in response
to former President Benigno Aquino’s call to device
proactive disaster risk reduction and management
measures so the next time a strong typhoon strikes the
country, the government and the people will be ready.
Every component of Project NOAH has its own focus
using different systems, as in the case of the DREAM
program which uses a technology called LiDAR.
LiDAR is an emerging remote sensing tool capable
of providing spatial data and information for hazard
assessment, disaster risk management, flood modeling,
urban development, and site assessment. Compared to
other remotely sensed images, LiDAR data is highly
accurate and more detailed.
The government saw an opportunity in using LiDAR
data in the DREAM program. It expanded its reach,
giving birth to the Phil-LiDAR 1 and 2 Projects.
RDE DIGEST 15
PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 1 UPLB FACEBOOK PAGE
PhiL-LiDAR 1:
Hazard Mapping of the Philippines using LiDAR
BY REGINA MAE C. ONGKIKO
R
esilience. It is the ability to recover quickly
from difficulties or challenges. It’s another
moniker for toughness, and Filipinos are
known all over the world for that trait.
The word is often used during typhoon season in the
country. Even after experiencing some of the worst
natural disasters, Filipinos always find reasons to
smile. Kids wading in waist-deep floodwater is not an
uncommon sight. In the absence of electricity, we find
ingenious and creative ways to entertain ourselves and
have fun with makeshift basketball courts, outdoor
games, and scavenger hunts.
While the tenacity of the Filipino people is admirable,
how do we move beyond this? How do we focus on
solutions instead of just ‘laughing it off’ and accepting
that these disasters happen every year?
With climate change looming over us, typhoons and
floods are expected to increase. Even though Filipinos
remain resilient and strong enough to overcome
tragedies, the need to be better prepared for these
natural disasters is becoming even more evident.
The project that moved a country
With the vision of ‘resilient Filipino communities
that can rise above any environment-related disaster,’
16 RDE DIGEST
the DREAM Program used the LiDAR technology
to come up with detailed and up-to-date topographic
maps of flood-prone areas in the country.
Former Department of Science and Technology
Secretary Mario Montejo previously said that “the
fine-resolution maps produced by LiDAR technology
can serve as the basis for early warning systems for
communities that are prone to flood hazards and other
challenges.” There is hope that government agencies
and other sectors can work together to use these maps
for disaster risk reduction.
DREAM covered 18 major river basins which make
up a third of the total area of the Philippines’ river
systems. Even so, it became known as one of the most
extensive three dimensional mappings in Southeast
Asia in 2012.
When DREAM transitioned to the Phil-LiDAR
Project in 2014, it expanded its original goal of
mapping the 18 major basins to 300. Phil-LiDAR
1: Hazard Mapping of the Philippines was tasked to
cover the remaining two-thirds of the Philippines’
river systems.
There was no time to slow down as the importance
of this program was emphasized as the onslaught
of typhoons came and went. The University of
 the Philippines Los Baños joined thirteen other that these maps can show the susceptibility of an area
State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) and Higher in terms of flooding. The maps will answer questions
Education Institutions (HEIs) that included UP such as “If there is 250mm of rainfall for four hours,
Cebu, UP Baguio, UP Mindanao, Ateneo de Naga which specific areas will be flooded? How deep will
University, Central the flood be?”
Mindanao University,
Mapua Institute “It’s all about creating All the maps
of Technology, produced by Phil-
and Visayas State maps that can show the LiDAR 1 were
University. The UPLB turned over to the
team, led by Assistant hazards and flood risks.” local government
Professor Edwin R. units around
Abucay of CHE- the river basins.
DCERP, was assigned Local government
45 river basins in MIMAROPA region and Laguna. personnel were even trained in using GIS because
the flood hazard maps are GIS-based. Turning over
The duration of the Phil-LiDAR project saw these the maps meant that the communities can become
institutions working simultaneously, each one an decision makers themselves instead of just enduring
integral part of a big network of academic institutions typhoons and other natural disasters.
aiming to change the face of Philippine disaster
mitigation. “Dati kasi hindi tayo handa,” former project staff
Gillian Inciong, said. “We just respond and adapt
Mapping hazards and risks when there is already flooding. But because of the
Phil-LiDAR 1 project, communities now have the
Assistant Professor Efraim D. Roxas, also from CHE- capability and the resources to be proactive.”
DCERP, described Phil-LiDAR 1 in the very simplest
of terms. “It’s all about creating maps that can show Back in 2012, during the DREAM Program, the
the hazards and flood risks.” He further explained first “rough” flood model of Marikina City in Metro

▲Phil-LiDAR 1 UPLB fieldwork: Flow data

gathering and validation of existing control
PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 1 UPLB FACEBOOK PAGE structures.
RDE DIGEST 17
 PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 1 UPLB TERMINAL REPORT

Manila was tested during the onslaught of southwest

monsoon rains; the people were warned hours before
the flood happened.

If this can happen for the whole country, Filipinos can

embrace stability and continuous development even in
the face of an approaching disaster.

This was one of the driving forces behind the team of

Phil-LiDAR 1. Sir Ef fondly recalls that the LiDAR
team would always motivate and inspire themselves
especially during the times when they spent long
hours in the field. “Laging sinasabi ng mga Research
Assistants na ginagawa nila ito para sa bayan.”

Sir Ef shared that the team didn’t endure all the

tough times and challenges during data collection just
for personal satisfaction. “We did it so we can help
create tools for decision making. Once the output of
LiDAR is used for local planning and development,
it will definitely help in ensuring the safety of the
community during disasters.”
“Saving lives,” Sir Ef emphasized, “is the whole idea of
Phil-LiDAR 1.”
Braving storms to save lives
In order to gather data for the maps, the UPLB
Phil-LiDAR 1 team had to travel to the river basins
assigned to them.
They had to collect
data both during the “Savings lives,” Sir Ef
dry and rainy seasons,
and this meant that emphasized, “is the
they have to stay in
different provinces for whole idea of LiDAR 1.”
days and weeks. “We
had to stay there for
three weeks, sometimes even for a month,” Gillian
recalls.
Usually, whenever strong rains or typhoons were
forecasted, the Phil-LiDAR team can be seen already
preparing their equipment and tools. They would
often find themselves hoping for rain, even if it meant
additional effort and possible risks. After all, the
output will make everything worth it.
Unknown to most, members of the UPLB team
actually had to undergo rigorous training in order to
make sure they were ready for the intensive fieldwork.
18 RDE DIGEST
▲Flow data gathering in Lumban bridge
in Lumban, Quezon
The team learned about bandaging, splinting, and
lifting in a rescue course. They even had to take a
final written and practical exam. Finally, a rescue
simulation was conducted wherein the Phil-LiDAR
1 personnel acted as either bystanders and lifters, or
victims. They were given a scenario by the trainers—
an explosion. The
participants had to
apply their learnings
in order to conduct
a successful rescue.
If that wasn’t
enough, the
team also had to
undergo a two-day training on Water Safety and
Rescue. Aside from swimming several laps in an
Olympic-size swimming pool, they had to undergo
rescue simulations to know what to do if a person
is drowning, being electrocuted, and even having
an epileptic episode. Rope rescue training were also
conducted and basic rappelling do’s and don’ts were
discussed.
All of these capability building were necessary for the
whole UPLB Phil-LiDAR team so that the members
are physically and emotionally ready for their
upcoming journeys.
 ▲LiDAR-derived Digital Surface Model of a portion
PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 1 TERMINAL REPORT
of the San Cristobal River Basin in Calamba, Laguna

PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 1 UPLB FACEBOOK PAGE

▲Flow data gathering in Lumban bridge

RDE DIGEST 19
 ▲Setting up of survey grade Global Positioning System in
Mamburao, Occidental Mindoro
PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 1 UPLB TERMINAL REPORT
In the field, the team measured the changes in the
river’s water level using depth gauges and Automated
Water Level Sensors (AWLS).
Depth gauges should be submerged in the river for
six hours straight or more, depending on the amount
of rainfall in the river basin area. That was only one
of the reasons why the team’s fieldwork lasted for
days. On the other hand, the AWLS were installed on
bridges. The AWLS laser pulses project downward to
measure water level change at specific time intervals.
The team also gathered data on river flow with the
use of mechanical flow meters deployed along the
different points of the bridge before, during, and after
rain events.
Rainfall data was also collected through manual
rain gauges stationed within the boundary of the
river basin. Locals were hired to monitor these and
manually record the rainfall data every 15 minutes.
The UPLB team also had the opportunity to meet
lots of people from different backgrounds when they
conducted household interviews and surveys. These
validation activities were important so that the team
can corroborate people’s estimates with actual flood
depth and time of rainfall within the river basin.
20 RDE DIGEST
▲Measurement of Multi Spectral Lidar (MSL) marking in Balete, Gloria,
Oriental Mindoro
PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 1 UPLB TERMINAL REPORT
Sir Ef recalls that fieldwork was an exciting part of the
project. Every deployment and scheduled fieldwork
was considered an adventure, specially during strong
rains and typhoons. There were even some instances
wherein the depth gauges were either lost, washed
away by floods, or stolen after deployment in the
study areas. Though these were eventually retrieved,
the gauges turned out to be non-functional and all
the recorded data were lost. The team had to borrow
additional depth gauges from UP Diliman and other
partner SUCs/HEIs and the Oscar M. Lopez Center
for Climate Change Adaptation and Disaster Risk
Management Foundation, Inc.
Greater than the sum of its parts
When someone mentions the UPLB Phil-LiDAR
1 Project, this is what usually comes to one’s mind:
floods, typhoons, maps, and GIS. While all of these
are true, the whole project is something much bigger.
“I think it’s a high impact project,” Sir Ef shared.
“Because we are all involved in providing LGUs the
information and resources to reduce their risks! We do
what we do to make sure that these areas are safe, thus
we help people become safe.”
 The maps have changed the game of climate change
adaptation and disaster risk reduction. “Before, it was
very black and white. When you say it’s going to flood
in a particular region it was either all the areas will
experience the flood or none will. There was no way to
be specific. With these Phil-LiDAR maps and models,
it is now possible to pinpoint the exact area where
the flood will occur, and what the effects will be.
That will guide communities to decide on where they
should evacuate, and where they should focus future
developments,” Sir Ef said.

Though the project has come to an end, the future

remains promising. The methodology of flood
modeling and simulation were well documented,
which means that this can be continuously done and
replicated. Future researchers don’t have to start from
scratch the way that DREAM and Phil-LiDAR did.
Sure, there were errors and challenges along the way,
but all of those have led to the establishment of best
practices which can be applied in future research.

Proactive, not just resilient

Resilience is just one of the many admirable and

laudable traits of Filipinos. But we are also inquisitive
and we question why things are the way they are. We
are creative and we continuously strive to be better.
Yes, we are overcomers, but we are also solution-
seekers and problem solvers.

The Phil-LiDAR 1 project has made communities

realize that they have a choice—that they are capable
of knowing how to act prior to disasters, and that they
are no longer confined to waiting out the effects of the
flood and just learning how to adapt.

Probably, other than the many tangible

accomplishments of the project, Phil-LiDAR’s
biggest potential contribution is the empowerment of
communities.

As Gillian said, “Kakayanin na nilang tumayo sa sarili

nilang paa.”■

CONTRIBUTE TO THE RDE DIGEST

Tell us stories of your fieldwork.

We accept stories year round.
Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 1 UPLB FACEBOOK PAGE

RDE DIGEST 21
PHOTO BY PR ZARA
PhiL-LiDAR 2:
Nationwide Detailed Resources Assessment Using LiDAR
BY DONALD A. LUNA AND SARENA GRACE L. QUIÑONES
I
n a rapidly changing world, new data will always
come in handy. Such is an important matter
for a country like the Philippines which has
overwhelmingly rich natural resources but is often
troubled with overpopulation, wrong urban planning,
and natural hazards that disrupt the environment and
leave the people vulnerable.
Hence, the government initiated a project involving
data extraction to map the country’s natural resources
with the hope of being useful in monitoring,
planning, and formulating policies for disaster
preparedness and mitigation.
The government used an existing technology
called Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR)
under a project called Phil-LiDAR 2, which was
simultaneously conducted under Phil-LiDAR 1 from
2014 to 2017. Both projects used LiDAR technology
and were under the Disaster Risk and Exposure
Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program.
While Phil-LiDAR 1 generated detailed flood
hazard maps for major river basins nationwide, the
Phil-LiDAR 2 project aimed to map the country’s
agricultural, forest, coastal, hydrologic, and renewable
energy resources.
22 RDE DIGEST
Phil-LiDAR 2 was implemented nationwide and for
three years, experts from 14 State Universities and
Colleges (SUCs) and Higher Education Institutions
(HEIs) combined their efforts to achieve the project
goals.
The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB)
is one of the 14 SUCs in the program, with the
Institute of Biological Sciences-College of Arts and
Sciences (IBS-CAS) as the main implementing unit.
The UPLB team was headed by Dr. Damasa M.
Macandog and was composed of young researchers
who closely worked with the UP Diliman Training
Center for Applied Geodesy and Photogrammetry, the
overall lead of the project.
UPLB was assigned in Laguna and the provinces of
Oriental Mindoro, Occidental Mindoro, Marinduque,
Romblon, and Palawan (MIMAROPA). The team’s
main task was to generate and apply various methods
for extracting different information on natural
resources from LiDAR data.
Data extraction from LiDAR
The Phil-LiDAR 2 was composed of five component
projects. These projects focused on generating
protocols for coordination and methodologies for with the highest concentration of rivers and lakes, and
extracting five different natural resources maps from the suitable places where people can access renewable
the LiDAR data and other datasets. energy.

Four of these Various methods

component projects and techniques
were led by UPLB, Remote sensing, GIS, and were done for the
namely, Agricultural extraction. Remote
Resources Extraction use of computer language sensing, geographic
(PARMAP); Aquatic information system
Resources Extraction were employed to create (GIS), and use of
(CoastMap); Forest computer languages
Resource Extraction models and simulations. were employed
(FRExLS); and to create models
Philippine Renewable and simulations.
Energy Resources Mapping (REMaps). The projects’ Traditional methods of manual digitization of LiDAR-
respective names give a clear-cut distinction as to what derived images were also put into good use.
resources are being mapped. The component projects PARMAP and CoastMap in particular, made use
may be different from each other but as a whole, it of Object-based Image Analysis (OBIA) which
sought to identify the location of annual crops and can classify clusters of colors on a map into useful
trees, or the roads and buildings, or even fishponds information.
and mangroves.
From the LiDAR images, PARMAP and CoastMap
Phil-LiDAR 2 can also identify which areas have can easily identify rice paddies, fishponds, fish pens
vulnerable agriculture and aquatic resources, the areas and cages, mangrove areas, coconut plantations,

▼Geographically-corrected aerial photograph of

Gloria, Oriental Mindoro

OUTPUT FROM PHIL-LIDAR 2 UPLB

RDE DIGEST 23
 PHOTO BY DA LUNA

various crops, bare lands, buildings, and roads, among

other things. Outputs can be generated in a matter of
few days, but in the case of FRExLS and REMaps, it
took months before results were obtained. Codes and
commands were programmed on a Linux-powered
computer to get biomass estimation, carbon stock,
and renewable energy resource maps.

In the end, FRExLS was able to identify and classify

open and closed forests. REMaps on the other hand
was able to generate energy potential maps for solar,
wind, and biomass resources.

The whole extraction process took several man-hours

to carefully monitor the daily progress of computer
processing. It sometimes required dividing the
researchers’ work into morning and evening shifts.
Most challenging times for the researchers were during
the typhoon season when there were very frequent
power interruptions. It was like hitting the reset
button in a video game that has no save option.

It was not always watching computer screens for 6-7

hours though. The Phil-LiDAR 2-UPLB team also
spent valuable time in the field to make sure that
LiDAR data matches with what is actually on the
field. Stationed at the Ecoinformatics Laboratory
behind the Biological Sciences Building, researchers
welcome field validation and groundtruthing as
pleasant breaks.
Spreading the light
As the Phil-LiDAR 2 team from UPLB collaborated
with different SUCs, LGUs, and NGOs in Laguna
and MIMAROPA in conducting training and
fieldwork demonstrations for collecting datasets, it
was able to successfully generate the following maps:
agricultural and coastal land cover, benthic habitat,
carbon stock, biomass estimation, biomass resource,
solar resource, and wind resource.
Vulnerability assessment maps for Sta. Cruz,
Laguna (agriculture) and Gloria, Oriental Mindoro
(mangrove, corals, and seagrass) were made while
spectral signatures of selected agricultural and aquatic
resources were also collected.
Maps generated from the project were distributed
to various municipalities as well as concerned
national government agencies that have jurisdiction
▲To generate maps, spectral signature collection of coral
species and other aquatic resources had to be collected.
over the resources. The rich set of data can now
provide valuable bases for these LGUs to develop
and operationalize programs for local resource
management and disaster preparedness.
In Oriental Mindoro for example, the Mansalay LGU
has used the mangrove and fishponds map generated
from CoastMap to draft its Climate and Disaster Risk
Assessment Report. Calapan City also made use of the
LiDAR generated maps for its Environmental Impact
Assessment Report.
These are only a few of what data from LiDAR
can do. It does not only raise awareness to resource
vulnerabilities but also establishes a culture of
preparedness to natural hazards.
As the government continues to invest in
technological innovations for the people, Phil-LiDAR
2 and UPLB hope to carry on spreading that light.
A number of projects have already been proposed
to various funding agencies and institutions so that
processed LiDAR information would continue
benefitting the government and the Filipino people.

24 RDE DIGEST
 PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 2

▲Researchers looked forward to the times they had to conduct field

validations such as the forest component fieldwork at Odiongan, Romblon.

Through these proposed projects, PHOTO FROM PHIL-LIDAR 2

more value can be put into the

government’s investments and
generate other promising outputs.
These could include near real-
time vegetation and built up
monitoring system; a biodiversity
information system, and a food
security information system –
all of which can aid planning,
decision-making and policy
formulation in the face of global
climate change and variability. ■

CONTRIBUTE TO THE
RDE DIGEST

Tell us stories of your fieldwork.

We accept stories year round.
Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
▲Field work involved collection of field data points
for the agricultural component.
RDE DIGEST 25
 Understanding the
Bigger Picture
BY LAWRENCE N. GARCIA
PHOTO FROM MODECERA PROJECT 4

26 RDE DIGEST
 RESEARCH UPDATES

Observing watersheds for ten years

is only scratching the surface.

▲MODECERA’s Project 4 works on insect pests, diseases

and weeds of crops identified by Project 2 and 3.
RDE DIGEST 27
 W
hen we were kids, we all learned about
the scientific method. Our grade school
science teachers did not rest until we have
memorized the steps in order: make an observation,
ask a question, formulate a hypothesis, conduct an
experiment, analyze the results, and finally, accept or
reject the hypothesis.
Easy, right?
Making observations
The amount of time a researcher takes to overcome the
first step of the scientific process would vary from one
discipline to another. Some people might take a few
months to a year before they finish their observations
and move on to ask scientific questions. For others,
it may only take a less than an hour. But what if our
field of research involves vast watersheds that contain
many and varying ecosystems?
Surely, we can’t possibly observe ecosystems for days,
months, or even years on end. But UPLB Professors
▲ The data and knowledge that will be produced by MODECERA
Project 1 will be useful in anticipating future state of ecosystems
and watersheds with fair degree of confidence.
28 RDE DIGEST
Dr. Rex Victor O. Cruz of the College of Forestry and
Natural Resources (CFNR) and Dr. Maria Victoria
O. Espaldon of the School of Environmental Science
and Management (SESAM) aimed to accomplish this
exact thing.
With the support of the Department of Science and
Technology (DOST), Cruz and Espaldon conceived
MODECERA – which stands for Monitoring and
Detection of Ecosystem Changes for Enhancing
Resilience and Adaptation in the Philippines – so that
they can observe a network of selected watersheds
nationwide for at least ten years. Dr. Cruz describes
the MODECERA as “…a holistic and continuous
observation of a watershed.” According to Cruz, they
are trying to understand what is going on [in our
watersheds] and to explain why things are the way
they are.
Dr. Cruz noted that one needs at least ten years of
observational data to finally say “Aha!” and figure out
how, why, and what cause changes in our watersheds
and the ecosystems inside it.
PHOTO FROM MODECERA PROJECT 1
 ▼ Project 2 conducts on-site monitoring of the productivity of
selected annual crops due to variations in climate, soil properties,
topography, socioeconomic conditions, and human activities,
including crop management practices.

PHOTOS FROM MODECERA PROJECT 2

“Although MODECERA is a basic research program, only way we can be prepared is for us to understand
what it aims to answer is something that we have our ecology and what’s going on,” he remembers
ignored or probably neglected for a long time,” Dr. adding. Inevitably, Secretary Montejo asked Dr. Cruz
Cruz explains. for a proposal that would eventually give birth to
MODECERA.
Asking questions and formulating the hypothesis
The proposal was unprecedented not in terms of
Dr. Cruz shares how a question became the impetus budget but in terms of long-term commitment of
for MODECERA. the DOST to support it. Very rarely that DOST,
or any other local funding agency for scientific
In 2014, he was asked research, commits
by then DOST Secretary
Mario M. Montejo on “...the only way we can be to long-term
and ambitious
possible solutions to the
Coconut Scale Insect prepared is for us to programs that
would span for at
infestation happening
during that time. understand our ecology least ten years.

His answer was not

straightforward. “That’s and what’s going on.”
tough, Secretary. Even
in UPLB… experts
have different views on
how to address it,” he recalls telling the then S&T
department head.
“You know Secretary, this type of problem is likely
to happen again… probably not due to Coconut
Scale Insect but because of the different insects or
organisms brought about by other abnormal changes
in the functions and behavior of an ecosystem. The
As such, the
project was split
into phases and
DOST was only
able to initially
commit funding support for the first two years.
But believe it or not, MODECERA was only trying
to scratch the surface. In comparison, the National
Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) in the
United States – which started in 2012 and will
become fully operational in 2019 – wants to observe
the environment and collect data in many permanent

RDE DIGEST 29
PHOTO FROM MODECERA PROJECT 2
stations across the US for the next 30 years. Like the
NEON, MODECERA intends to ask basic questions.
“We know that the climate is changing, we know that
population is growing and land use is changing… and
yet, we don’t have a good idea of how things will turn
out with all these changes happening around us,” Dr.
Cruz explains. “How will pests and diseases change
with climate change? How will they change with
changes in land use practices?” he adds. To answer
these questions, there should be data that covers and
spans a long period of time. Dr. Cruz explains that
“we cannot understand the behavior of natural systems
with just one, two, or even five years of data sets. It has
to span over decades.”
Conducting experiments and analyzing the results
“We want to understand the trends. We don’t want
to understand the instantaneous state because that
30 RDE DIGEST
doesn’t tell us a lot,” Dr. Cruz explains. As such, for
the first phase of MODECERA, the program was able
to deploy observation systems in selected watersheds
in the country. These systems are co-managed with
regional state universities and colleges and are
supposed to run for at least 10 years.
During the first two years, the program was able to
gather significant amounts of secondary and primary
data that would enable it to establish a good and
solid baseline for the observations that MODECERA
would gather in the succeeding years.
However, since the target of the program is to monitor
watersheds and their ecosystems for 10 years, this
is just the beginning. Dr. Cruz sees MODECERA
building a long-term empirical database on changes in
the watersheds and ecosystems. With MODECERA,
he believes that we will be able to understand our
PHOTO FROM MODECERA PROJECT 3
ecology and explain how and why changes occur in
the different ecosystems in our environment. This
body of information will be useful in formulating
appropriate interventions to address problematic
changes in the ecosystems and watersheds.
With its observation systems already deployed, the
MODECERA program has been able to gather data
from different watersheds in the country. The program
has so far produced several technical and policy briefs
out of the initial datasets it has generated. In these,
MODECERA has initially highlighted in more
locally-specific terms the ecological importance of
grasslands; the significance of agroforestry for long-
term food production and soil and water conservation;
and the current and existing threats to our biodiversity
due to unregulated resource extraction activities and
lack of alternative livelihood.
Accepting the hypothesis
Phase 1 of MODERA ended last February 2018
and Dr. Cruz, along with the other proponents, are
currently seeking funding to support the next phases
of the program. The next phase would supposedly
expand the current cover of the program from eight
watersheds to 18 watersheds across the country.
This is to continue building on the existing body of
observations and data produced during the first two
years.
The country is already experiencing the effects of
climate change. The dry season is getting hotter. A
new breed of pest, disease, and environmental changes
will inevitably come with rising summer temperatures.
Meanwhile, the rainy season is giving us heavier
monsoon rains. Strong storms and super typhoons are
becoming more frequent. We all know that landslides
and flooding always come with these storms. If
we understand what changes in the watersheds
and ecosystems are triggered by these climate
abnormalities, we will be able to better mitigate and
adapt to them in the future.
For the sake of future generations, there is a need to
establish foundational knowledge on the trends and
behaviors of our environment. With MODECERA,
we will have a fighting chance not only against the
next major pest infestation, but also against other
calamitous events that will arise from extreme weather
events and other changes in the natural and human
systems.
Big basic research endeavors such as the MODECERA
Program provides the country with a healthy source
of data from which we can draw knowledge to better
understand why things are the way they are and how
things might be tomorrow. This will help us set out an
action agenda that will build a future more desirable
than we presently have. In the mighty words of Dr.
Jose Rizal “Ang hindi lumingon sa pinaggalingan, hindi
makakarating sa paroroonan.” ■
CONTRIBUTE TO THE RDE DIGEST
What research effort do you want to read about next?
Share something about a project you are involved in!
We accept stories year round.
Email us at ovcre.uplb@up.edu.ph.
RDE DIGEST 31
 LIFE HACKS
Grow your own
vegetable salad
using SNAP Hydroponics!
BY ANA MARGARITA S. PALMA

Eating decent food nowadays would often cost you a pretty penny.

A meal from the carinderia of a viand and a cup of rice ranges from 60 to 90 pesos. A meal in a middle-
end restaurant costs around 100 to 200 pesos, while a full-course meal in a high-end restaurant may burn
your wallet for 300 pesos or even more. Eating at home or bringing baon to work may be a cheaper option
especially for the average households. But taxes imposed on goods are not something you can ignore if the
amount you now pay for your groceries is double the amount than what you pay before.

What then should you do? Preparing dishes with vegetables is a good option. Veggies are healthy, easy
to prepare, and way cheaper than meat. Plus, it is possible to further lower the cost if you can grow it right
around your house even with limited space. How, you say?

Let us tell you the steps to a beginner-friendly setting up of a hydroponics system using SNAP solution.

STEP 1
Prepare the seedlings
You can acquire seeds from small stores or supermarkets selling
garden kits. Ask for seeds of green leafy vegetables like lettuce,
pechay, mustard, and celery, among others. But you can also
choose calamansi, upland kangkong, and even eggplant or other
climbing vegetables as long as you put up trellises for them.

What you need What you should do

1. Sowing/seedling tray
2. Growing media – aged coco coir dust or
charcoaled rice hull or a mix of both; old stock of
saw dust or fine sand or a mixture of fine sand and
coco coir dust and charcoaled rice hull
3. Seeds
4. Watering solution – 25 ml each of SNAP A and
SNAP B mixed in 10 L of water.
1. Fill each hole of the sowing tray with one-inch thick
layer of your chosen growing media, and make
sure to level it properly.
2. Place the seeds uniformly on the growing media
and cover with a thin layer.
3. Water the seeds as needed using the solution. The
seeds will germinate in three to five days.
4. Wait for ten days for the seedlings to grow before
they are transferred to the seedling plugs.

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STEP 2
Prepare the seedling plugs
In the case of this set up, seedling plugs are used styrofoam
cups where seedlings will be transplanted to continue its growth.

What you need

1. Styrofoam cups – preferably used and size must

be 8 to 10 oz; the number of cups will depend on
the number of holes on the styrobox
2. Cutter/knife/hack saw blade
3. Growing media – coco coir dust or charcoaled rice
hull
4. Seedlings
5. Stick
STEP 3
Prepare the growing boxes
This step teaches you how to turn a used
styrofoam fruit box into a growing box where the
seedling plugs and the solution will be placed.
What you should do
1. Using a knife or cutter, slice the bottom of the
styrofoam cup to make four to five equally spaced
slits. Each slit must run halfway from the side to
the bottom of the cup.
2. Put a one-inch thick layer of the chosen growing
media inside the seedling plug.
3. Make a hole in the middle of the growing media in
the cup. Transplant the seedlings from the sowing
tray. Use a stick to gently uproot the seedlings
from the tray. You may only transfer one seedling
per cup. Make sure that the transferred seedling
stands firmly by lightly pressing the media around
its base.
4. Water the seedling plugs.

What you need

1. Styrofoam boxes – preferably used; you can buy

fruit boxes at local wet markets or supermarkets
2. Medium-sized tin can – one end must be cut open
and sharp enough to make a hole through the
styrofoam box
3. 20” x 30” , 0.003 inch thick polyethylene plastic
bag

What you should do

1. Using the tin can’s mouth as puncher, make holes

on the cover of the styrofoam box. Spread the
holes strategically on the cover. You can make
eight to twelve holes.
2. Place the plastic bag inside the bottom half of the
styrofoam box. Make sure that the plastic covers
any existing holes in the box so as to contain the
SNAP nutrient solution

RDE DIGEST 33
 STEP 4
Run the SNAP hydroponics system
Now that all the materials are prepared, follow the
procedure below to get the SNAP hydroponics up
and running.

What you need

1. Seedling plugs
2. Growing boxes
3. SNAP nutrient solutions (A and B) – can be bought at
UPLB Institute of Plant Breeding
4. 10 liters of tap water
5. Benches or vertical stand with layers – optional but
make sure to place the boxes where it can be placed
under a shelter with enough sunlight
6. Rain shelter or roof awning – optional

What you should do

1. Place the SNAP hydroponics system in an
area where it will get enough sunlight but will
be protected against rain. A roof awning or
transparent shed are some options.
2. Arrange the boxes on a bench or stand with the
covers removed.
3. Fill each box with 10 liters of tap water.
4. Add 25 ml of SNAP A solution to the water for
each box. Stir well.
5. Add another 25 ml of SNAP B solution to the
mixture for each box. Stir well.
6. Put back the cover of each of the box.
7. Place the seedling plugs into the holes of the
growing box. Make sure the holes of all cups are
evenly “plugged”.
8. Make sure the bottom of the cups are submerged
in the nutrient solution by ½ inch deep. If not, add
more water until the desired depth is reached.
9. Check the growing boxes for leaks.
10. Visit your hydroponics set up every morning and
see if there are leaf-eating insects eating the
plants.

That’s it! You have just learned how to

grow vegetables in your own home without
breaking a sweat. Just by adopting a simple
system and buying a nutrient solution, you
can eat salad anytime without paying 300
bucks for a plate.

34 RDE DIGEST
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