The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has launched a comprehensive program to integrate and harness its vast data resources, making critical information in fields like food security, climate, disaster resilience, infrastructure, and health more accessible and impactful for national development.
Announced during the Geospatial Analytics and Technology Solutions (GATES) Program Stakeholder Conference, the initiative aims to break down data silos and create a unified, AI-ready geospatial ecosystem. DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. stated that this move is foundational for a data-driven government.
“It is the foundation for sound decision-making, for responsive governance, and for Agham na Ramdam, science that protects, empowers, and uplifts lives,” Sec. Solidum said in his keynote address. He emphasized that GATES ensures “the right data is available at the right time, to the right people, powered by the right tools.”
The GATES Program will be executed through four interconnected projects designed to strengthen the DOST’s data capabilities:
- Project 1 will establish the foundation by standardizing and cleansing existing data and developing an AI-ready data architecture.
- Project 2 will build the core “DOST Data Lakehouse” and user interface, providing scalable storage and computing power for advanced analytics.
- Project 3 will develop practical applications, including chatbots and decision-support tools, that integrate data across DOST agencies for specific use cases.
- Project 4 will focus on policy, creating ethical AI frameworks and training programs to ensure the program’s long-term sustainability and adoption.
DOST Assistant Secretary for Development Cooperation Rodolfo J. Calzado, Jr. highlighted that GATES is a key step in operationalizing the National AI Strategy (NAIS) of the Philippines. He stated the program is “building a connected, spatially intelligent DOST– charting a future-ready nation with spatial intelligence.”
The DOST also announced the upcoming National AI Stakeholders’ Conference on October 13-14, 2025, reinforcing the government’s “whole-of-nation” approach to building a collaborative AI ecosystem. The Department has been laying the groundwork for an AI-ready nation since 2017 through various initiatives, including over ₱2.3 billion invested in 113 AI-related projects.
Ultimately, the GATES Program will be institutionalized as a core part of the DOST’s framework and is envisioned to serve as a model for digital transformation across the entire Philippine government.
The DOST operates through its 18 attached agencies, 17 regional offices, and 80 provincial science and technology offices. It implements a wide range of programs and R&D projects aimed at providing science-based, innovative, and inclusive solutions across its strategic pillars of human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph.#
