Korean Government Extends a Helping Hand to NEDA

The Korean Overseas International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is giving the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) $50,000 to fund its project regarding the institutionalization of a Regional Geographic Information System Network (RGISN) in Caraga (North eastern Mindanao). According to the Region 13 office of NEDA, the funds will be released when the project is ready for implementation.

Last June 2010, Jinoh Kim, KOICA’s Resident Representative and Carmencita S. Cochingco, NEDA’s Regional Director had a meeting. Eun Sun Jang, a Korean Overseas Volunteer (KOV), presented the project. He is specializing in Geographic Information System (GIS) assigned in NEDA Caraga since November 2008.

Cochingco shared that Kim expressed KOICA’s interest in building a direct and substantial collaboration with NEDA, since Korea has been consistently providing aid to the Philippines. She said that the focus of KOICA Assistance is Caraga Region, with 14 KOVs being deployed there. “This program is a big help to the Caraganons”, Cochingco added.

The NEDA Caraga, being the socio-economic agency of the region and the secretariat of the Regional Development Council (RDC), will be the one to spearhead the institutionalization of a geographic information system (GIS) in the region. They will serve as the support group for effective planning and resource allocation and management, policy-making, decision making, investment programming and monitoring, and evaluation of socio-economic and environmental initiatives, programs and projects.

Sources:

http://www.geojunk.com/news-feeds/by-subject/gis-a-mapping/7997-gis-in-philippines-gets-a-boost-from-korean-aid

Image source:

http://www.geomanila.com/

The Coming of the Philippine Geohazard Maps

According to the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), the geohazard mapping of Zamboanga done by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mines and Geosciences Bureau (DENR-MGB) in Region IX is almost complete. The geohazard maps will be useful in identifying places in the region that will threaten people's safety.

Emma Deverala, the Information Officer of MGB-IX said that the geohazard mapping which started in 2005, is now on its final year. According to her, 87% of Zamboanga Peninsula has already been assessed by their Geohazard Assessment Team headed by Geosciences Chief Vheina Marie P. Quintana. It is expected that they will fully accomplish the mapping of the remaining municipalities and cities in the region like the Triple S-B or the municipalities of Siocon, Sirawai, Sibuco, Baliguian, in Zamboanga del Norte, Isabela City in Basilan, and finally Zamboanga City hopefully by November.

Deverala hinted that the entire peninsula is prone to hazards like landslide and that they have already spoken to the different LGUs of the affected municipalities to give recommendations on how to prevent or mitigate threats.

The MGB in Region IX is also conducting intensive information dissemination campaigns to increase the awareness of people in the area regarding the hazards and to instruct them on what to do to ensure safety.

The landslide in Southern Leyte last February 17, 2006 killed thousands of people and because of this the geohazard mapping program was given more emphasis and support by the national government through the National Disaster Coordinating Council. The program also includes the identification and characterization of the types of geohazards present, particularly on the mass movement and flooding events in the Philippines.

According to Deverela upon the completion of the program, the bureau will provide geohazard maps that will identify what type of geohazard a particular area is prone to. It will also contain information on the location of barangay centers and other important landmarks. It will also be useful as a blue print for developing disaster risk management plans and programs of local government units, urban and rural development planners, other stakeholders and the communities.

Source:

http://www.educationgis.com/2010/08/philippines-geohazard-maps-soon-to-be.html

Image Source:

http://www.globalink.net.ph/~denrmgb5/mancon05.htm

DENR-NAMRIA Geodetic Control Points: Up for Adoption

Last January 2009 the local government units of Southern Leyte, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA), entered into a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that will ensure the future protection and conservation of geodetic control points (GCP) in the area. The geodetic control points database is a facility that provides location points of GCPs used by geodetic engineers, surveyors, and cartographers to correctly position rectified geodetic data.

Initially, there are 237 GCPs subject for adoption including some old GCPs which were recovered and re-observed in the different barangays of municipalities in Southern Leyte from 2007 to 2008. The GCPs that have specific locations per barangay were turned over to their respective municipal engineers for protection and conservation, with the assistance of an appointed focal person per barangay. A periodic report will also be submitted to the DENR regarding the status of the GCPs and for any occurrence of disturbance.

As part of the LGU's responsibility in the adoption of the GCPs under the Adopt a Mojon Program of the Philippine Reference System 92 (PRS 92), municipal ordinances were released by the LGUs prescribing penalties for constituents found guilty of destroying or tampering with the GCP, intentionally or otherwise.

Mr. Alfredo S. Pascual, Regional Executive Director of DENR Region 8 said that the effect of the adoption of the GCPs that were established under the PRS 92 is indirect, but its significance and development should be advocated to the people especially at the barangay level.

The PRS 92 program, mandated under EO No.321 signed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2 July 2004, is a network of geodetic control points marked by survey monuments or “mojons” established using the Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. It was started in 2007 and will end in 2010 with the goal to complete and maintain the national geodetic network and integrate old surveys and maps in the network for the sustained management and development of the country’s natural resources. It also aimed to establish more accurate spatial positioning for structures and other activities. It is a homogeneous network useful to all government agencies (DPWH, DAR, DA, NIA), the academe, as well as government and private surveyors that are involved in surveying and mapping activities.

Source:

http://www.gisdevelopment.net/news/viewn.asp?id=GIS:N_zmltvnxqog

http://www.namria.gov.ph/gcps.aspx

Image Source:

http://visayanislands.ph/VisayanIslands-VIII.htm