Officials from European Space Agency (ESA), the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), Department of Science Technology (DOST), and the European Union (EU) launched the Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme for the Philippines (CopPhil). Photo from EU Delegation to the Philippines.

MANILA — An Earth Observation (EO) website was unveiled on Thursday through a partnership between the European Space Agency (ESA), the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA), and the European Union (EU).

The website utilizes Copernicus data, which is derived from satellite-based systems that capture detailed images and information about the Earth's surface.

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The National Copernicus Capacity Support Action Programme for the Philippines (CopPhil) website is designed to empower Filipino citizens and institutions by offering access to extensive, free, and open Earth Observation (EO) data, thereby enhancing environmental monitoring and disaster management efforts throughout the country.

According to PhilSA Deputy Director-General Denis Villorente, Copernicus data is collected from satellites with cameras that observe the Earth. The data provides information about what's happening in our environment.

"They can derive a lot of information about what is happening in our environment, ground motion for example, or kung papano ginagamit 'yung kalupaan natin; which crops are being grown over certain areas, how are forests are doing as well as coastal areas," said Villorente.

(They can derive a lot of information about what is happening in our environment, such as ground motion, how our land is being used, which crops are being grown in certain areas, and the condition of our forests and coastal areas.)

The Copernicus CopPhil website is already operational and offers features that are still in the pilot phase, including:

1. Ground Motion: Enhances information layers on earth surface deformation, addressing landslides, subsidence, seismic activity, urban subsidence, and mining.

2. Benthic Habitat Mapping: Monitors shallow water features, detects coral bleaching, maps regional benthic seascapes, and assesses blue carbon levels.

3. Land Cover, Crop, and Forest Mapping: Aids policymakers and farmers in land allocation decisions, assesses agricultural diversity, and monitors forest changes and typhoon impacts.

A data center was also established at PhilSA to facilitate near real-time access to critical information. Villorente added that accessing Copernicus data from Europe can currently lead to delays due to the distance and location of data facilities.

"It's important to reduce that delay in emergency situations... ‘Yung infrastructure na will allow us to store the data here. It will be almost real-time sa ‘tin," he said.

(It's important to reduce that delay in emergency situations. This infrastructure will allow us to store the data locally, enabling almost real-time access.)

Massimo Santoro, the European Union Ambassador to the Philippines, emphasized the importance of this project.

"This is another sector where the Philippines is pioneering. It's about supporting countries towards a sustainable path, one that works for people and uses technology for the good," Santoro said.

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