FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 849 
) 
) 
) 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The basic requisite in the pursuit of national development is a prudent use 
of land resource. Only through a comprehensive land use plan can we efficiently 
use our resources to propel the country towards economic and social 
development. However, efforts are being hampered by the lack of available 
information related to land resources which are necessary for efficient land use. 
The data available are either inadequate or grossly outdated. 
In order to respond to the challenges of development, there is an urgent 
need to modernize the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority 
(NAMRIA). The NAMRIA, in fulfilling its mandate of supplying all necessary 
information on land resource matters, must be at the forefront of national 
planning and development. 
This bill seeks to establish a modernization program for the NAMRIA in 
order to effectively fulfill its mandate. 
This modernization program shall 
undertake the following programs: 
a. National Mapping Program which aims to accelerate the production of 
digital base maps and information for environmental planning and development 
within a geographic information system environment; 
b. Information Technology Strategic Plan, which seeks to develop and define 
an over-all medium-term information technology structure for NAMRIA to include 
proposed technology, data application and service models in order to address 
the agency's information needs at both management and operational levels; 
c. Data acquisition from satellite missions through the establishment of a 
multi-satellite, multi-purpose ground receiving station, the development of 
Hydrographic, Oceanographics Surveys and Nautical Charting of the Exclusive 
Economic Zone and the development of innovative techniques in generating 
geographic information. 
The modernization program shall benefit not only our local government 
units and the various national planning agencies but also the private sector as 
well. In view of the foregoing considerations, immediate passage of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
Senator 


FIFTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 849 
) 
) 
) 
~fN[,Tt. 
OFfiCE OF ',ME SECRETARY 
INTRODUCED BY SEN. JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA 
• AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL MAPPING AND 
RESOURCE INFORMATION AUTHORITY (NAMRIA) 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
. 
SECTION 1. 
Short Title. This Act shall be known as the "NAMRIA 
Modernization Acf' 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. It is hereby declared the policy of the 
state to promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity 
and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through 
policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising 
standard of living and an improved quality of life for aiL However, national 
development and policies must be based on current information on land 
resources. The National Mapping and Resources Information Agency (NAMRIA), 
as sole custodian of all land-resource-related information, shall therefore be a 
prime mover of national development planning. Towards this end, the State shall 
promote and pursue the Modernization of National Mapping and Resource 
Information Authority (NAMRIA), to a level where it can effectively and fully 
perform its mandate to act as the central surveying and mapping agency of the 
Republic of the Philippines. 
SEC. 3. Objectives of the NAMRIA Modernization Program. 
(a) To promote the conservation and management of the country's 
natural resources 
by assisting the various agencies of 
government in their efforts toward the proper determination of 
the country's land boundaries and land use patterns, forest 
lands, ancestral domains, maritime boundaries and other 
related physical, geographic, demographic and socio-economic 
characteristics. 
(b) To develop its present capabilities as the central surveying and 
mapping agency of the government by implementing equipment 
acquisition program consonant with technological advances to 
hasten the conduct of needed nationwide geodetic, topographic, 
hydrographic and oceanographic survey. 


(c) To establish a one-stop shop of geographically referred 
database and related information. 
SEC. 4. General Mandate and Responsibilities. The NAMRIA shall 
have the following general mandate and responsibilities: 
(a) To act as the Government's central surveying and mapping agency 
providing 
map 
making 
and 
related 
services 
to 
government 
instrumentalities; 
(b) To be the official depository and distribution agency foe land and 
natural resources database; 
(c) To conduct land and natural resources classification surveys, inclusive 
of all marine resources within the maritime zones; 
(d) To undertake continuing ocean and land research and natural 
resources database development activities; and 
(e) To upgrade, modernization and acquire appropriate surveying and 
map making technology and equipment. 
SEC. 5. Components of the NAMRIA Modernization Program. The 
NAMRIA Modernization Program shall consist of the following components: 
(a) RESTRUCTURING AND ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. Aims 
to effectively and efficiently carryout the nationwide coordination of 
geographic information development activities and to strengthen 
research and development program. 
(b) TECHNOLOGY AND STRATEGIES SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT. 
Aims to provide a mechanical for the acquisition and installation of 
appropriate systems and technology to improve the delivery of its 
products and services; 
(c) HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOMENT. Aims to upgrade the skills of its 
personnel, development, implement 
and institutionalize a program 
designed to optimize personnel capabilities through a sustainable 
training and development strategies in improving the quality of work as 
well as the standard of living of its personnel. 
SEC. 6. Development of NAMRIA Capabilities. The modernization of 
NAMRIA shall be geared towards the development of the following capabilities: 
(a) ENHANCEMENT OF MAPPING CAPABILITIES - The NAMRIA, being 
the central mapping agency of the government, shall develop and 
upgrade its map production capability to digital technology. To this end, 
it shall: 
(1) Provide updated water and land-based information in the form 
of digital baserhaps and charts within geographic information 
environment; 


(2) Provide nationwide coverage of updated large scale maps in 
graphic and digital format of urban areas, centers of population 
and development areas; 
(3) Conduct periodic integrated resource and environment survey 
for the generation of updated, standardize and reliable 
geographic and resource information, and; 
(4) Service the various mapping needs of government agencies 
and the private sector. 
(b) DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CAPABILITY -
The NAMRIA, shall be develop its technology structure by establishing 
one-stop source of geographically referenced ocean, land and 
resource database information. To this end, it shall: 
(1) Eliminate data duplication and provide a mechanism for data 
sharing with other government agencies and instrumentalities; 
(2) Provide a rapid response system to generate maps and charts 
to disaster management in coordination with concerned 
agencies and for high priority planning in development areas; 
(3) Keep up with the demand for complete and updated land, water 
and natural resources data bases, land use classification maps, 
inclusive of microfilm and microfiche processes; 
(4) Provide better access to its products and services; and 
(5) Speed up its, base mapping, revision and technological 
programs. 
(c) IMPROVEMENT OF DATA ACQUISITION CAPABILITY -
The 
following programs shall be implemented to enhance. the data 
acquisition capability of NAMRIA: 
(1) Establishment of Ground Receiving Station -
The NAMRIA 
shall develop its data acquisition capability by operating a multi-
satellite, multi-purpose ground station in order to: 
1.a. establish and develop its capabilities for real or near data 
acquisition 
1.b. conduct disaster monitoring and damage assessment, detect 
potential environmental hazard and near real time inventory of 
resources in coordInation with other government agencies 
1 .c. serve as user service unit. 
(2) Upgrading of Surveys and Charting Capabilities - The NAMRIA 
shall increase its capabilities for hydrographic, oceanographic 
and geographic surveys and nautical charting capabilities. To 
this end, it shall: 


2.a. produce up-to-date nautical charts of the Exclusive Economic 
Zones to ensure safety of navigation and provide basic reference in 
planning and executing all marine activities in the country; 
2.b. delineate the different maritime zone of the country in 
coordination with other government agencies; 
2.c. provide technical data needed in the judicious delimitation of 
overlapping international boundaries; 
2.d. generate marine scientific information for assessment and 
efficient management of living and non-living ocean resources for both 
government and non-government units; 
2.e. densify existing geographic network, integrate existing 
cadastral 
and 
control 
.data 
into 
Philippine 
Resources 
System, 
establishment of a network maintenance system and modernization of 
survey practices; 
2.f. initiate the delineation of administrative boundaries throughout 
the country in coordination with the Land Management Bureau and other 
government agencies. 
(d) IMPROVEMENT OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY 
-
NAMRIA shall undertake researches in order to develop new 
techniques in generating geographic information. To this end, it shall: 
1. engage in exploratory projects which can improve capabilities in 
information science; 
2. acquire expertise in servicing the geographic information requirements 
of all sectors in the country; 
3. establish standards and procedures in geographic information system 
(GIS), remote sensing, mapping and surveying; 
SEC. 7. Period of Implementation - The modernization program under 
this Act shall be implemented over a period of ten (10) years; Provided, However, 
that payments for amortization of outstanding multi-year contract obligations 
incurred under this Act, may extend beyond this period. 
SEC. 8. Appropriation for the NAMRIA Modernization Program - The 
annual appropriation for the NAMRIA Modernization Program shall include the 
amounts necessary to support the funding requirements for all modernization 
projects approved by Congress. , 
SEC. 9. Multi-Year Contracts and Other Contractual Arrangements. 
(a) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, pursuant to the 
NAMRIA Modernization Program projects and appropriations approved by 
Congress, may, subject to the approval of the President, and consistent 
with the provisions of existing laws and regulations including those of the 
Commission on Audit and under such terms and conditions most favorable 


. . 
to the government, enter into multi-year contracts and other contractual 
arrangements. 
• 
(b) For mUlti-year contracts, Congress shall upon certification by the 
President, make the corresponding appropriation for the ensuing fiscal 
year: Provided, that Congress shall appropriate only such funds as may 
be necessary to pay an unpaid amount where the funds appropriated, for 
the current fiscal year is not sufficient or available to meet such payment 
in full or in part. 
(d) The Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources shall submit to 
the Chairmen of the Senate Committee on Environment and Finance 
and the Chairmen of the House Committee on Environment and 
Appropriations copies of this multi-year contracts and other agreement 
to enable Congress to appropriate funds. 
SEC. 10. Procurement System. In addition to the provisions of existing 
laws, rules and regulations regarding procurement acquisition of equipment, the 
DENR and NAMRIA shall strengthen said system and procedures taking into 
account new requirement under the NAMRIA modernization program. The 
NAMRIA is hereby given the authority to strengthen its system and procedures 
for equipment acquisition, taking into account new requirements under the 
NAMRIA modernization program. 
SEC. 11. Tax Exemption. The importation by NAMRIA of mapping and 
surveying materials such as photogrammetic, eartographic, survey, data 
processing, remote sensing equipment and material supplies, and spare parts 
which will be used actually, directly and exclusively, in its operations shall be 
exempted from all forms of taxes, duties and other fees. 
SEC. 12. Annual Reports. The Administrator of the NAMRIA through the 
Secretary of the Department of 'Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 
shall submit to the President and Congress, not later than the end of the first 
quarter of the succeeding year, an annual report containing the progress of the 
implementation of the modernization program under this Act. 
SEC. 13. Austerity and Use of Savings. Upon the approval of this act, 
the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), 
and the NAMRIA Administrator, shall submit to Congress, within the first quarter 
of the succeeding year and every year thereafter a report on: 
• 
(a) The amount of all unused and undisbursed funds remaining from 
previous DENR and NAMRIA appropliations; and 
(b) The amount of savings from austerity measures generated in the 
previous fiscal year. 
The savings generated under this section are hereby authorized to be 
used to augment funds for the NAMRIA Modernization Program. 
SEC. 14. Separability Clause. If any prOVision of this Act shall be 
unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions no otherwise affected shall remain 
in full force and effect. 


, . 
SEC. 15. Repealing Clause. All laws, executive orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with or contrary to this Act, are hereby deemed 
accordingly repealed or amended. 
SEC. 16. Effectivity Clause. This act shall take effect after fifteen days 
(15) from its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national cut circulation. 
Approved,