DoST, JICA team up to boost GATES program for AI-ready disaster data platform

The Department of Science and Technology (DoST) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Tuesday formalized their collaboration to enhance DoST’s flagship geospatial program, with the aim of transforming it into an artificial intelligence (AI)-ready national platform for disaster risk reduction and data-driven governance.

The Geospatial Analytics and Technology Solutions (GATES) program is the country’s initiative led by DoST, which aims to consolidate fragmented geospatial and climate data across government agencies into a unified and interoperable data ecosystem.

The program is expected to be enhanced through the collaboration of DoST with the JICA Digital Transformation Lab (JICA DXLab), the agency’s digital innovation arm.

It will be undertaken for four months beginning in June, during which JICA DXLab will provide technical expertise to improve data interoperability, establish data governance, and enhance digital transformation capabilities.

Atsushi Yamanaka, JICA DXLab lead, said the initiative will provide technical expertise to support the DoST’s GATES program, particularly in capacity building and the development of data exchange platforms that will enable different government agencies to share and consolidate information for high-impact applications.

“We have expertise in that,” Mr. Yamanaka said during a press conference, adding that the agency aims to work with the GATES Program to develop “one or two critical use cases” that demonstrate the benefits of consolidating data from various institutions.

Meanwhile, DoST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said the collaboration with JICA will focus on strengthening data governance, capacity building, and the development of scalable AI and data platforms.

He added that its initial applications may focus on disaster risk reduction and eventually expand for wider use across government.

“Our goal is not to have this used only by DoST. If this will work well, we can also share this with other departments so that we can have more integrated data for use of all government departments aside from our local government and private sector,” Mr. Solidum said during the press conference.

Looking ahead, DoST said in a statement that the collaboration is expected to contribute to the advancement of disaster risk management systems and the promotion of data-driven policymaking.

The knowledge and networks generated from the collaboration are also expected to contribute to the advancement of data and AI use in policymaking in both the Philippines and Japan, while strengthening bilateral cooperation in related fields. — Edg Adrian A. Eva