On 3 and 5 June 2025, we hosted a series of practical training sessions at the Philippine Space Agency’s premises in Manila, covering our Earth Observation-based pilot service dedicated to benthic habitat monitoring. The service is designed to help researchers and authorities overcome the limitations of traditional data collection methods for more comprehensive, consistent, and up-to-date information on coastal areas in the Philippines.
The course brought together participants from various Filipino institutions to engage in hands-on exercises related to the service. A key focus was on practicing the calibration of bathymetric maps, with participants working through exercises of varying complexity. By collaboratively addressing challenges as they emerged, attendees developed the skills needed to independently carry out the calibration process. The session also fostered inter-institutional and interdisciplinary collaboration among Filipino stakeholders, strengthening national capacity in this area.
This training course was the second of a three-part series on benthic habitat monitoring, which focuses on foundational concepts, techniques, and applications of Copernicus free and open data for these purposes. In addition to this series, CopPhil is also hosting training courses on its Ground Motion Monitoring, Forest Mapping, Land Cover Mapping, and Crop Mapping pilot services.
As a unique initiative of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, CopPhil, through its EO-based pilot services development and capacity building activities, is supporting the Philippines in addressing climate vulnerability and biodiversity conservation while improving hazard management and resilience.
For updates on CopPhil’s activities, follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Background Information
As a flagship and unique programme of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, CopPhil is designed to harness digital resources and space technology for sustainable development and to support innovations in research and business in close cooperation with government partners.
CopPhil is managed by the European Union Delegation to the Philippines. It is implemented by the European Space Agency (ESA) in partnership with the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
