In an effort to help with the nation’s ongoing fight against the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), Malayan Colleges Laguna’s (MCL) College of Computer and Information Science (CCIS) formed a team to develop a web-based dashboard to track the number of COVID-19 cases in the province of Laguna and provide important data at a glance.
Spearheaded by CCIS Dean Khristian G. Kikuchi, the team is composed of Prof. Dennis A. Martillano; alumni John Noel J. Corpuz and John Disonglo; 4th year students Gwyneth Escarda, Mark Anthony V. Hernandez, Cedric Flores, and Joseph Lazaga; 2nd year students Michael James Gnilo and Miguel Cellona; and 1st year students Job J. Lipat and Charmaine Eunice I. Rabano.
“After the suspension of online classes last April 3rd, I thought that this is a great opportunity for us to develop something useful for our country,” shared Dean Kikuchi. “Since the first day that the Philippines recorded its first COVID-19 case, I monitored the daily figures given by the Department of Health (DOH). However, these data are too general, based on the total running numbers, and doesn’t show the specific trends for a region or province. This is when I thought of developing a dashboard showing important information related to COVID-19 cases for the province of Laguna.”
The CCIS team aims to provide relevant information on the ongoing COVID-19 cases in the province down to the level of cities, municipalities, and if available, even to the level of the barangays. With the goal to give everyone hope, the dashboard will be highlighting the number of recovered cases and remaining active cases. It may also be viewed using mobile phones.
“I want to share to our students the opportunity to do something noble and of service to our country during this time of crisis by utilizing their skills and knowledge,” emphasized Dean Kikuchi.
With the project currently in its initial phase of development, the team will be including other features that will ensure that data presentation is more comprehensible and easier to navigate for anyone accessing the dashboard.
“I know that we are not used to this kind of situation before and thus we are experiencing difficulties in facing the challenges of this crisis,” Dean Kikuchi said as a final message for the community. “Let us keep our faith to God for He will never leave us in these trying times. Enjoy the moments with our family members, still keep in touch with our friends and loved ones, and if possible, extend our support and help to our fellow Filipinos in our own ways. Stay home and stay safe. And we will definitely see each other again very soon.”