The National Mapping and Resource Information
Authority, was established to serve as the main
mapping agency and repository of resource information
in the Philippines. Since its foundation in
1987, it has endeavoured to improve its capabilities
to provide better services to government agencies
and the public as well as the private sector.
In cooperation with foreign donors, it has implemented
a number of projects that were aimed at innovating
the mapping technology and come up with better
methods of acquisition of data for its map outputs.
Also through these projects, many of its staff
were able to undergo international training
that that enhanced their technical skills.
Among these new developments that the agency
has pursued are the upgrading of its digital
mapping, and remote sensing capabilities and
the acquisition of new technologies such as
geographic information systems (GIS) that are
designed for processing and analyzing land-based
information. The bulk of its map outputs consists
of medium scale topographic maps, however, in
recent years, large scale maps have been produced
to support the development and planning activities
in urban centers. Almost every sector of the
government has been catered by NAMRIA through
its maps and services associated with generating
geographic information.
One of the government agencies that has great
requirement for maps is the National Statistics
Office (NSO) which will be conducting the census
of population this coming May 2000. This
is an important project that has great impact
on the social, political and economic activities
of the country. NAMRIA with its mapping
capabilities can support the NSO in generating
outputs that can improve the generation of statistics
and enhance the use of population data by the
various sectors of the government. With
its expertise in mapping and new technologies,
NAMRIA can provide the services required by
the NSO for the Census 2000. This paper
attempts to present the role of NAMRIA related
to the conduct of Census 2000.
NAMRIA's
Mandates and Functions
As the government's central mapping agency,
the National Mapping and Resource Information
Authority is mandated to provide map-making
services to various departments and agencies
in the government, the academic and scientific
community, the private sector and the general
public. In line with this function, the agency
produces and updates base and thematic maps
and charts at various scales using state-of-the-art
geographic information technology such as remote
sensing, geographic information system (GIS),
and digital photogrammetry. It also uses data
from field survey operations. Geographic data
provided by these maps serve as basic inputs
in various development activities of both the
government and the private sectors. Specifically,
NAMRIA is tasked with the following functions:
Integrated surveys
NAMRIA conducts periodic geodetic and geophysical,
hydrographic, oceanographic, magnetic and
gravity surveys of the Philippines' land and
water resources. This include the establishment
and maintenance of a network of geodetic control
points consisting of 330 stations known as
the Philippine Reference System (PRS1992).
This system is designed to provide a basic
reference framework for land surveys and mapping
activities.
Mapping
NAMRIA produces topographic base maps and
other thematic maps necessary in planning
and development efforts in the country.
It serves the mapping needs of the public
through the preparation, updating, printing,
production and reproduction of different types
of maps at various scales. Currently,
map production processes are being upgraded
utilizing photogrammetric digital mapping
technology.
Remote Sensing
NAMRIA operates and maintains the National
Remote Sensing Center (NRSC), the country's
center for image processing, applications
and distribution of remotely sensed data and
information. The Center was established at
NAMRIA in 1991 through the Philippines-Australia
Remote Sensing Project. Since its establishment,
the Center has supported various land use
planning and mapping activities nationwide
using satellite data from various foreign
sources.
Information Management
NAMRIA is the central repository of environment
and natural resources information. It is also
involved in the development of information
systems, creation and build-up of databases,
packaging of information materials and dissemination
of geographic resource information.
Equipment
and Technologies Used
NAMRIA uses both the conventional techniques
and the state-of-the-art technology to produce
the products and perform its mandates. To improve
its services, it has undertaken capability budding-up
measures that include the following:
Acquisition of two brand-new
oceanographic research and survey vessels.
BRP Hydrographer Presbitero and BRP Hydrographer
Ventura. These vessels are equipped
with advanced surveying and mapping instruments
and facilities to support NAMRIA's geophysical
and oceanographic surveys. Geophysical
surveys are conducted to facilitate the laying
out of power cables or telecommunication cables,
oil or gas pipelines, and other underwater
facilities. Oceanographic surveys are
undertaken to obtain data on the physical
characteristics of the sea water needed for
surface navigation, fisheries, and other marine
scientific studies. The vessels can also be
used for sea bed studies, natural hazard mitigation
and hydrographic and other scientific activities.
Acquisition of Global
Positioning System (GPS) equipment for establishing
the country's first order Geodetic Control
Network, also known as Philippine Reference
System of 1992.
Upgrading its data capture
capability through the application of digital
mapping technology. Digital mapping involves
the capture of data from aerial photographs
using mapping software and storing them in
computer compatible media to facilitate the
automation of processes related to the generation
of maps.
Upgrading the facilities
of the National Remote Sensing Center in its
effort to keep abreast with the latest equipment
and software in digital image processing.
The NRSC at NAMRIA recently acquired three
additional workstations to complement its
existing equipment. In addition, it also purchased
a new image processing software for analyzing
remote sensing data. NAMRIA is also using
several GIS software to facilitate the storage,
retrieval and the analysis of land-based information
for various studies in the environment and
natural resources sector.
Current
Mapping and GIS Related Activities
New Topographic Map
Series (National) The project includes updating and revision
of the current 1:50,000 scale topographic
map series (701 and 711). These maps will
replace the old 10' x 15' grid to 15' x 15'
grid maps and will also adopt a new numbering
system.
Urban Large Scale Mapping This project aims to produce large-scale
topographic maps (1:5,000 and 1:10,000) of
various urban areas in the country. Large
scale maps provide a detailed information
on the present road network, infrastructures
and other economic indicators which reflect
the current state of development of urban
centers. Aside from Metro Manila, areas that
have been covered include Metro Cebu, Iloilo,
Butuan City, Iligan City, Bacolod City, and
urban areas in the provinces of Rizal and
Quezon.
Administrative Mapping The project involves the updating of regional
and provincial maps as a result of the creation
of new administrative entities such as the
Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the
Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM)
and CARAGA (Region XIII).
Digital Graphics Databasing The project involves conversion of map
sheets covering the whole country into digital
format to support input requirements of GIS-based
projects. Altimetric features on the map such
as contours and spot-heights as well as planimetric
information were converted into digital format.
Data Standardization NAMRIA has spearheaded the creation of
the Inter-agency Task Force on Geographic
Information (IATFGI) which is responsible
for coordinating the efficient development,
management and utilization of geographic information
in the country. One of its major activities
is the standardization of geographic data
with the objective of facilitating data exchange
among various users in the government sector.
Under the IATFGI was created five technical
working groups to serve as fora for the discussion
and resolution of issues and concerns in geographic
information. The TWGs represent the agriculture,
environment and natural resources, lands and
surveys, infrastructure and utilities, socioeconomic,
and research, training and technology sectors.
GIS Capability Assessment As per request from other government agencies,
NAMRIA has been conducting technical capability
assessment in preparation for these agencies
to acquire GIS technology. The assessment
focuses on the availability of hardware, software,
data and trainable and trained personnel for
GIS work and projects. Recommendations are
made for the improvement of the concerned
agencies capabilities before venturing into
GIS. To name a few, NAMRIA has completed the
assessment of the Metropolitan Manila Development
Authority, the Provincial Government of Palawan,
Iriga City, and Davao City.
Private
Sector Participation in Mapping
The past five years have shown the active
participation of the private sector in the field
of mapping and GIS activities. The private sector
has been basically involved in information technology
provision, GIS and image processing software
distribution, GIS application development and
consultancy services. Private GIS consultancy
companies have risen considerably with the growing
demand of various users for digital geographic
information products and services. Their major
services range from feasibility study and planning,
customized application systems development,
users training, and digital data conversion.
The demand for services of private mapping
and surveying companies have also been on the
uptrend due to the ever increasing demand for
up-to-date information for various land resources
planning and management activities. Updated
information have become more necessary with
the wider use of GIS technology. Aside from
aerial surveys, other services offered by the
private sector include digital mapping, map
scanning, digitizing, plotting, etc.
NAMRIA's
Contribution to the Census of Population
The National Statistics Office (NSO) will
conduct the census of population in May 2000
to gather baseline demographic profile of the
entire country. The data to be generated will
be used to present demographic statistics and
population projections that have tremendous
effect on the political, social and economic
actions of the government. Among the uses of
population data are the apportionment of seats
in Congress, allocation of internal revenue
allotment for local government units and the
planning and allocation of sectoral budgets.
In the Philippines, past censuses were presented
without spatial dimensions. Results were accompanied
by sketch maps that do not have geographic coordinates.
The statistics that were generated, although
valuable inputs to many sectors of the national
government, are inadequate for socio-economic
and development planning undertakings which
are always land-based activities. Barangay
level is the smallest aggregation for census
of population. This has limitations considering
that many decisions require specific locations
smaller than barangays. Many business
applications require the selection of the right
location and appropriate groups for specific
investments.
NAMRIA with its technical expertise
in mapping and GIS can assist the National Statistics
Office (NSO) in its effort to produce geographically
referenced maps that would support the census
of population. The collaboration effort between
the two agencies will be geared towards producing
digital maps whose features can be linked to
census data. Similar to the experience of the
United States Census Bureau, a digital geographic
address database should be attached to map features
such as buildings or streets. This will allow
the verification of the numberand actual
location of residents to provide a clearer picture
where population centers are located. It will
be a GIS-based census mapping that will allow
users to explore spatial patterns, relationships
and trends. Users will be able to query geographic,
economic and demographic data and generate thematic
maps for their specific needs. Address data
will be attached to the population data to facilitate
the manipulation of demographic statistics in
support of land resources planning and development
efforts. GIS and related technologies will be
valuable tools for processing population statistics
and establish spatial relationships to support
decisions related to social, political and economic
activities of the different sectors of the government.
NAMRIA has the mapping machinery to support
the undertakings of the NSO. With the upgrading
of its facilities and equipment, its capabilities
have been enhanced to be able to cater more
efficiently its clients. What needs to be done
is to develop the necessary infrastructure for
census mapping. A digital geographic address
database has to be prioritized to maximize the
use of population statistics for various users
specially those involved in social and economic
planning and development activities. Accurate
base maps that will be used to spatially reference
population statistics should also be present
to complement the digital address database.
The tasks are great considering the large capital
investment required to finance these undertakings-
At this stage, NAMRIA in cooperation with the
NSO has to develop an operational methodology
in the generation of census data using geographically
referenced data and establish benchmark information
related to census and spatial features. NAMRIA
could also identify other methodologies that
can generate high resolution maps using satellite
data. The conventional method of mapping through
aerial photographs is also a highly capital
intensive operation which can not be implemented
in the short term. Remote sensing is another
option which could be the subject of studies
in the future especially with the availability
in the market of satellite images with resolutions
as high as one meter. These products could provide
alternatives for data acquisition in support
of census mapping.
Improvements in census mapping are hampered
by the lack of funding allocated for such purposes.
The limited financial resources, however, should
not be an obstacle in innovating procedures
and methodologies. The private sector can also
be involved through schemes such as the BOT
(build, operate, transfer) and BOO (build, operate,
own). Another option would be to involve the
stakeholders to participate in building the
geographical address database. They will share
in the cost of its development. This may appear
to be a simple approach but there will be many
issues to be resolved before this can be implemented.
Among them is data ownership and the costing
of data for users other than the stakeholders.
The NSO has to look forward to meeting these
challenges in the future. NAMRIA, with its machinery
in place, is on the path towards digital mapping
which can support the future requirements of
the NSO.
