On May 28, 2026, the DOST Central Luzon SARAI CeNTRO Team conducted site validation for the deployment of the Automated Weather Station (AWS) in the Municipality of San Miguel, Bulacan. The activity was facilitated by Mr. Arvin Jay R. Lamberte and Mr. June Alexis Santos as representatives of the SARAI CeNTRO Central Luzon Team, in collaboration with PSTO Bulacan Focal Person Engr. John Adams Aguilar.

The validation activity was carried out in close coordination with the Municipal Agriculture Office (MAO) of the Local Government Unit of San Miguel, represented by Mr. Khrystofer Dionisio, Mr. Jeffrey Flores, and MAO Head Mr. Glen Ortiz. Together, the technical team and local stakeholders assessed the proposed AWS site to ensure compliance with the technical requirements necessary for installation, including adequate exposure, accessibility, security, and suitability for the collection of accurate and reliable weather data.

The site validation forms part of the ongoing implementation of the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) Program and the Smart and Sustainable Agriculture (SINAG) Initiative. Through the deployment of AWS units in local government units, the program aims to strengthen agricultural resilience by providing timely and location-specific weather information that can support farm-level and policy-level decision-making.

As part of the activity, the SARAI CeNTRO Team also formally turned over the Automated Weather Station (AWS) to Mayor John Alvarez. The turnover signifies the municipality’s commitment to embracing science, technology, and innovation in advancing local agricultural development and disaster preparedness efforts. The AWS will serve as a critical tool for generating real-time weather data that can aid farmers, agricultural technicians, disaster risk reduction officers, and local government planners in responding to weather-related challenges.

With climate variability continuing to affect agricultural productivity, access to reliable weather information has become increasingly important. The AWS will provide localized data on key weather parameters such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, and atmospheric pressure. These data can be utilized to support crop management decisions, optimize farming operations, and strengthen early warning systems for weather-related hazards.

The activity also provided an opportunity for the SARAI CeNTRO Team and local officials to discuss the long-term utilization and management of the AWS, including data access, maintenance responsibilities, and the integration of weather information into local agricultural and disaster risk reduction programs. Such collaboration ensures that the technology will not only be installed but also effectively utilized to benefit the municipality and its farming communities.

Through the collective efforts of DOST Central Luzon, PSTO Bulacan, and the Local Government Unit of San Miguel, the initiative underscores the shared commitment to promoting climate-smart, data-driven, and sustainable agriculture. The deployment of the AWS marks another significant step toward enhancing the capacity of local communities to adapt to climate risks while improving agricultural productivity and resilience in Bulacan and the broader Central Luzon region.