The first Filipino-made air quality monitors—which can measure particulate matter in the air using mass concentration measurement—are set to be deployed in Agoncillo, Batangas, and Tagaytay City and Alfonso municipality in Cavite, by researchers from the University of the Philippines Diliman.
The Robust Optical Aerosol Monitor (ROAM) Air Quality Monitor units from Project ROAM was designed to look for ways to reduce the effects of air pollution in communities and workplaces.
ROAM, initially developed to provide information for policy creation and programs for environmental protection, will help residents of the areas affected by the eruption of Taal Volcano.
The technology was developed in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).
Project ROAM, headed by Dr. Len Herald V. Lim, developed high-quality but low-cost aerosol monitors compared to its commercial counterparts.
According to Levi Guillermo L. Geganzo of Project ROAM, the group is currently discussing the plan to deploy the monitors with the local government units (LGUs) of the areas.
The researchers are also in talks with the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) to help with its monitoring.
ROAM is currently 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 its technology.
Geganzo said the team is asking more organizations to use ROAM for free for a year in line with the requirement of the Fastrac grant.
DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Dr. Enrico C. Paringit lauded the move of the group and encouraged LGUs to partner with ROAM in putting up air-quality monitors in their areas.
“We thank [the] Project ROAM team for making innovations work for the people. As a leader and partner in enabling innovations in the Philippines, we [DOST-PCIEERD] enjoin our LGUs to collaborate with our researchers in making our air cleaner using this technology,” he said.