Towns and cities majorly affected by the continued restiveness of Taal Volcano would soon receive a helping hand as researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman are set to deploy air quality monitors in their area.
Robust Optical Aerosol Monitor (ROAM) Air Quality Monitor units from Project ROAM is set to be deployed to the communities of Agoncillo in the Province of Batangas and Tagaytay and Alfonso in the Province of Cavite.
ROAM Air Quality Monitor, the first Filipino-made air quality monitor, was created to measure particulate matter in the air using mass concentration measurement. Through the leadership of Dr. Len Herald V. Lim, the group was able to develop high-quality aerosol monitors that are low-cost compared to its commercial counterparts.
It was designed specifically to look for ways to reduce the effects of air pollution in communities and workplaces and was developed in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).
ROAM which was initially developed to provide information for policy creation and programs for environmental protection, can now aid residents from the three Local Government Units (LGUs).
According to Levi Guillermo L. Geganzo of Project ROAM, they are currently discussing the plan to deploy the units with the three LGUs. The researchers are also in talks with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) to help them with their regular monitoring.
Currently, ROAM is exploring the creation of a spin-off company through DOST-PCIEERD’s Funding Assistance for Spinoff and Translation of Research in Advancing Commercialization (FASTRAC) program to help advance the commercialization of their technology.
Geganzo also said that while there are already many interested organizations, the team is in the process of asking more organizations to use ROAM for free for a year, in line with the requirement for the FASTRAC grant.
DOST PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico Paringit lauded the move of the group and encouraged other local government units to partner with ROAM in putting up air quality monitors in their area.
“We thank the Project ROAM team for heeding the call of the times and making innovations work for the people. As a leader and partner in enabling innovations in the Philippines, we enjoin our local government units to collaborate with our researchers in finding solutions in making our air cleaner through technologies brought about by research and development,” he said.