SPEAKER Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez on Wednesday welcomed the partnership between the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and Atmos, Inc. to build a new, AI-powered weather forecast for the entire Philippines.
Romualdez noted that in addition to aiding disaster risk resilience, the predictive capabilities of the AI-powered weather forecasting system are expected to have far-reaching applications in agriculture, maritime safety, infrastructure development, and tourism.
The signed memorandum of understanding between DOST and Atmos was presented Wednesday afternoon (US time) to President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in San Francisco, California on the sidelines of his participation in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
“This welcome initiative demonstrates President Marcos’ determination to address the evolving challenges of climate change through innovative solutions that empower our nation to adapt and thrive,” said Romualdez, leader of the 300-plus strong House of Representatives.
“It comes at a crucial time when the Philippines faces increasingly complex and unpredictable weather patterns. The AI-powered weather forecasting system will enhance our ability to predict and respond to weather-related events, ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens,” added Romualdez.
He noted that the Philippines is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change and is frequently beset by typhoons, floods, and droughts.
“By harnessing the power of AI in weather forecasting, we may be able to avert another tragedy such as the one wrought by supertyphoon Yolanda,” said Romualdez, who represents the First District of Leyte that bore the brunt of Yolanda’s wrath.
The Atmo Artificial Intelligence (AI) – enabled hardware-software system leverages deep learning for numerical weather prediction and is touted to have superior accuracy than the weather forecasts of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Romualdez said the innovative weather forecasting system can also enable farmers to make informed decisions about irrigation, fertilization, and pest control, leading to increased crop yields and improved overall agricultural productivity.
Accurate weather predictions would also prove invaluable to power generation and distribution utilities, enabling better management of energy resources, preventing disruptions and ensuring a stable power supply, according to Romualdez.
The Speaker pointed out that precise weather forecasts could likewise enable proactive maintenance to reduce the risk of damage to roads, bridges and other critical infrastructure as well as help businesses in sectors like hospitality and outdoor recreation optimize their operations, contributing to overall economic growth.
“This ground-breaking agreement not only pushes the Philippines to the forefront of technological innovations but, more importantly, promises to create a positive impact on the lives of our people,” Romualdez said.
