The Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) latest addition to its disaster preparedness and response initiatives—the Intelligent Operations Center (IOC) for emergency management-- was formally unveiled during the final leg of the Iba na ang Panahon: Science for Safer Communities.

A grant from IBM, the IOC will help the Philippine government better manage ongoing and future disaster response and recovery efforts. It comes with an Integrated Communications Center to facilitate better and more coordinated disaster management efforts with the DOST and across various government agencies.

The IOC will provide emergency managers critical information such as advance warning for extreme weather events, feedback from first responders on the number of casualties and affected families, and conditions of buildings and infrastructure among others.

“IBM’s grant comes with two years of support, including an IBM-led transition team to ensure that we have the skills and expertise needed to fully maximize the power of this new technology to make Filipinos safer and more resilient to hazards such as Haiyan,” said DOST Secretary Mario G. Montejo in a statement.

“IBM is honored to be an enabler in building smarter and safer Philippines,” said Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, President and Country General Manager of IBM during the formal turnover held Thursday. (S&T Media Service)


Mariels Almeda Winhoffer, president and country general manager of IBM Philippines, formally turns over to Department of Science and Technology Secretary Mario G. Montejo IBM’s Intelligent Operations Center for emergency management during the final leg of DOST’s Iba na ang Panahon: Science for Safer Communities info campaign. The Center will provide a central of command for disaster management to help the Philippine government better manage ongoing and future disaster response and recovery efforts. (S&T Media Service)