The Makiling Center for Mountain Ecosystems (MCME) was tapped as one of the pilot testers for a new mobile application known as Biodiversity Sentinel or BioSentinel developed by Instigators, Inc. for SMART Communications. The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the ASEAN Center for Biodiversity (ACB) and SMART Communications was signed during the opening of the Biodiversity Conservation and Management of Protected Areas in ASEAN (BCAMP) workshop last November 28, 2017. Present during the signing was ACB Executive Director Roberto Oliva, SMART Communications First Vice President and Public Affairs Group Head Ramon Isberto, Instigators Inc. President Dominic Tuazon, and MCME Deputy Director Rogelio Andrada II.
The BioSentinel app is a tool designed to improve the efficiency and effectivity of collecting field data and generating reports. It primarily aims to equip protected area management staff with a handy and easier way of gathering observations in the field related to biodiversity conservation and protection. About 15 of MCME staff from the Protection and Regulations Unit headed by For. Rolly Breva and the Forest and Watershed Division headed by For. Leilani Castillo will use the app during their routine patrol and field activities to test its interface and functionality. Testing will cover several months, after which, MCME will provide feedback to SMART Communications.
RTAndradaII
Photo Credit to: RVBreva