DOST to use modern technology to improve disaster readiness

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) will use state-of-the-art technology to improve disaster readiness.

Science and Technology Secretary Mario Montejo said that the DOST is waiting for the delivery of the country’s first supercomputer donated by global IT giant IBM, which will be used to map out a climate change forecast for the country.

“We will downscale climate change scenarios in specific areas into the future like for a period of five years,” Montejo told The STAR in a phone interview.

Montejo said the DOST hopes to make the supercomputer operational by the end of the year. He said they would come up with a climate change scenario for a specific city or municipality for a period of time.

He cited the weather forecast and amount of rainfall in Davao City in the next five years that would guide concerned agencies on appropriate preparedness measures.

IBM and DOST recently forged a partnership, and IBM pledged to provide the Philippines with its first-ever supercomputer with high performance computing capabilities to help develop practical solutions to pressing problems.