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The government is exploring the use of satellite technology to manage inflation, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA). A research team was sent to the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice) to evaluate the potential of its satellite technology. During the study visit, it was discussed that the Philippine Rice Information System (PRiSM) can provide validated rice field data to their registered stakeholders every seventh day of the succeeding month. Currently, the government utilizes Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) data, but it needs to enhance its data sources, especially in the case of rice and amid volatile weather situations.

PRiSM collects rice field data through satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensing. The data collected through the SAR has up to 95 percent overall accuracy compared to the ground validated data. SAR is unaffected by cloud cover, making it reliable for data collection. In addition to SAR, PRiSM can also process secondary data collected using drones. The compiled data is presented in the form of rice area maps that indicate the locations where rice has been planted, the timing of rice planting, estimated rice yield, areas affected by flooding and tropical cyclones, and areas impacted by drought.

Currently, PRiSM is only applicable to rice, but the technology and methodology could potentially be adapted for monitoring other crops. NEDA believes that integrating satellite technology into its inflation analysis can lead to better policy recommendations. The next satellite, Sentinel-1C, is set to be launched within the year and has the potential to further augment PRiSM’s operations.

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