NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2208
of tlj?
23 MAY 17 P12 54
received BV
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL MAPPING AND 
RESOURCE INFORMATION AUTHORITY (NAMRIA), AMENDING CERTAIN 
PORTIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 192, SECTION 22(a) AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
In 1987, the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) 
was estabiished through the Executive Order No. 192. Serving as the central 
mapping agency of the government, NAMRIA has been instrumental in handling the 
nation's natural resources data, establishing a nationwide geodetic network, and 
conducting research vital for national development planning, environmental and 
natural resource management, and maritime territories delineation.
However, with the evolution of technology and the growing demands of a 
rapidly advancing society, the necessity to modernize NAMRIA has become more 
essential than ever. This modernization is crucial not only to maintain but enhance 
the accuracy, efficiency, and relevance of the geospatial information provided by 
NAMRIA, ensuring its effective contribution to national development programs.
This proposed legislation, referred to as the "NAMRIA Modernization Act", 
seeks to reaffirm the State's commitment to the prosperity of the nation and the 
welfare of its people. It acknowledges the crucial role of accurate geospatial 
information in planning and implementing economic development programs. The Act


aims to promote and pursue technology-based infrastructure and facilities for data 
acquisition, production, integration, sharing, and widespread dissemination of 
geospatial information.
The modernization program proposed under this Act aims to enhance 
NAMRIA's present capabilities, implement modern data acquisition programs, 
improve the production and management of analog and digital geospatial products, 
establish a national geospatial data infrastructure, and implement a continuing 
human resource development program.
The Act also includes definitions of key terms related to the field of mapping 
and resource information, which are necessary for a common understanding and 
uniform interpretation of the Act's provisions. The program components, ranging 
from the National Topographic Base Mapping Program to Human Resource 
Development, are laid out with clear objectives, ensuring comprehensive 
modernization of NAMRIA's operations.
Overall, the "NAMRIA Modernization Act" is a comprehensive legislative 
measure aimed at equipping NAMRIA with modern technology and practices, 
thereby enabling it to efficiently fulfill its role of providing accurate and reliable 
geospatial information to the government, private sector, and the public.
Hence, I recommend the immediate approval of this bill.
CYNTHIA A. VILLAR


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) 
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2208
of lije ii ctnqj
23 may 17 PI2 54
RECEIVED BV
Introduced by SENATOR CYNTHIA A. VILLAR
AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL MAPPING AND 
RESOURCE INFORMATION AUTHORITY (NAMRIA), AMENDING CERTAIN 
PORTIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 192, SECTION 22(a) AND FOR 
OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
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Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "NAMRIA
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Modernization Act".
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Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is hereby declared the policy of the State to
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ensure the prosperity of the nation and free the people from poverty by adopting
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policies and programs that will ensure national security, and provide adequate social
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services, stimulate and improve the efficiency of economic activities, empower the
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people to raise their standard of living, and increase their resiliency against climate
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change, and natural and man-made disasters.
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The State recognizes the importance of accurate geospatial information in the
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planning and implementation of economic development programs. The State shall
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therefore promote and pursue technology-based infrastructure and facilities for data
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acquisition, production, integration, sharing and widest dissemination of geospathal
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information. This shall be achieved through the modernization of the National
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Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) to enable the agency to
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effectively and fully perform its mandate to act as the central surveying and


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mapping agency of the Republic of the Philippines, and provide the government and
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the private sector with reliable geospatial information.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
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are thus defined:
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a) Aeriai Photograph - refers to a photograph of the earth's surface taken 
from an aircraft in flight.
b) Base map - refers to a map or chart showing certain fundamental 
information, used as a base upon which additional data of specialized 
nature are compiled or overlaid.
c) Elevation - refers to the vertical distance of a feature of the earth's surface 
from a reference level such as sea level.
d) Environment and Natural Resource (ENR) Datasets - refers to datasets on 
specific characteristics of land and water areas such as land cover and 
land use, as well as their legal and regulatory status such as protected 
areas, national parks, mineral reservations, etc.
e) Geospatial - refers to the geographic location and characteristics of natural 
or constructed features and boundaries on, above, or below the earth's 
surface; esp. referring to data that is geographic and spatial in nature.
f) Geospatial Information > is information describing the location and names 
of natural and cultural features beneath, on or above, or below the earth's 
surface. It includes the basic information found on a topographic map, but 
also includes different location-related datasets combined into complex 
layers that show information such as land use and population density.
g) Geodetic network - refers to a network or system of points selected in a 
definite manner, marked on the ground and accurately surveyed, serving 
as control points for topographical surveying and geodetic measurements 
on the ground.


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h) Geodetic survey - refers to the type of surveying which considers the size 
and shape of the earth. This type of survey covers a iarge area and 
intends primarily to establish a reference system from which all other 
surveys are referred to.
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Geodetic reference system - refers to a coordinate system and a set of 
reference points, used to locate points or objects on the Earth.
j) Geographic information system (GIS) - refers to a computer-based 
technology for capturing, storing, editing, manipulating, analyzing and 
displaying geographic information. The system provides rapid access and 
exchange of information. Data inputs include maps, remotely sensed data 
and statistics.
k) Geodetic coordinates - refers to the three-dimensional coordinates on the 
earth's surface as expressed in latitude, longitude and height above mean 
sea level measured on the spherical earth.
l) Geophysicai-refers to the structural and physical properties of the earth.
rd) Hydrographic survey - refers to a survey having for its principal purpose 
the determination of data relating to bodies of water to include: depth of 
water; nature and configuration of bottom; tidal phenomena; and location 
of fixed objects for survey and navigational purposes.
n) Land ciassification - refers to a system of determining and segregating 
which part of the unclassified lands of the public domain are to be 
declared as forestland and those as alienable or disposable lands.
o) Mapping - refers to the representation on a plane surface, at a given 
scale, of the physical features (natural or artificial) of a part or the whole 
of Earth's surface, by means of signs and symbols.
p) Nauticai charting - refers to the process of compiling, constructing and 
reproducing a special purpose map (called a chart) for marine navigation 
or other particular purposes.
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q) Nautical chart - refers to a special purpose map portraying water bodies in 
relation to land indicating depths of water, dangers and aid to navigation 
and other information necessary for safe marine navigation and other 
practical purposes.
r) Physical oceanographic survey - refers to the measurement of tides (sea 
level), waves and currents, salinity, temperature, density, turbidity, 
nutrient contents, etc. at various positions, depths and time; an expedition 
for the purpose of gathering water sample and measuring the above data.
s) Satellite Imageries - refers to imageries of the earth's surface taken from 
an artificial satellite in orbit.
t) Surveying - refers to the orderly process of determining data relating to 
any physical characteristics of the Earth such as the location or boundaries 
of land or bodies of water.
u) Topographic map - refers to a graphic representation of the earth's 
surface showing the relative size, position of features, and relief at a given 
scale.
v) Topographic survey - refers to the surveys made to determine the 
configuration of the Earth's surface and to locate natural and cultural 
features on it.
Sec. 4. Objectives of the NAMRIA Modernization Program. - The NAMRIA
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modernization program shall be implemented in accordance with the following
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objectives:
(a) To enhance and modernize its present capabilities to undertake programs 
and projects in furtherance of its mandate as the central surveying, 
mapping and resource information agency of the government;
(b) To implement a modem data acquisition program and to upgrade its 
capabilities in the conduct of geodetic, geophysical, topographic, 
hydrographic , oceanographic and land classification and related surveys;


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(c) To improve and accelerate the production and management of analog and 
digital geospatial products and services;
(d) To establish a national geospatial data infrastructure that will ensure inter­
operability of geospatial data, and facilitate the integration, sharing, and 
dissemination of geospatial data produced by different agencies and 
organizations; and
(e) To implement a continuing human resource development and 
management program for its personnel, as well as to reorganize, revitalize 
and restructure its organizational set-up, as needed. In order to meet the 
demands of its modernization program.
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Sec. 5. Components of the NAMRIA Modernization Program. - The NAMRIA
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modernization program shall consist of the following components:
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(a) Nationai Topographic Base Mapping Program. The program involves the 
continuing acquisition of high-resolution imageries of the earth's surface 
(such as satellite imageries and aerial photographs), high-resolution 
elevation data, as well as digital map production systems to provide 
nationwide map coverage and periodic updating thereof.
(b) Nationai Geodetic Network Deveiopment The program involves 
development and maintenance of a globally consistent geodetic reference 
system that will serve as reference for all surveying and mapping activities 
in the country.
(c) Hydrographic, Oceanographic and Nauticai Charting Program. The 
program Involves the measurement of the physical features of the oceans 
and seas for the production of nautical charts for safety of navigation 
within Philippine waters and sustainable use of the country's coastal and 
marine resources.
(d) Environment and Naturai Resources Mapping Program. The program 
involves the production of up-to-date environment and natural resources


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datasets and maps for use of government agencies, local government
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units, business and the general public.
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(e)Philippine Geospatial Data Infrastructure. The program involves the
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establishment and management of an online access facility to enable
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integration and sharing of geospatial data generated by government
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agencies, the academe and other organizations using a common set of
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standard topographic base maps.
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(f) Human Resource Development The program includes upgrading the skills
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of NAMRIA's personnel, both civilian, commissioned and enlisted services;
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develop, implement and institutionalize a program designed to optimize
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personnel capabilities through sustained trainings.
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(g)Research, Development and Extension. The program involves the
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assessment of existing and development of new systems and procedures
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to enhance the delivery of NAMRIA products and services, and support the
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development of the geospatial information industry in the country.
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Sec. 6. All government agencies. Local Government Units, State Universities
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and Colleges, Government Owned and Controlled Corporations, and other
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Government Instrumentalities are mandated to coordinate their geospatial
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information activities with NAMRIA to avoid duplication of efforts and optimize the
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use of geospatial resources.
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Sec. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of
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this Act shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act.
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Sec. 8. Use of Income. - The NAMRIA is hereby authorized to utilize any
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income derived from its products and services in furtherance of the objectives of this
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Act.
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Sec. 10. Reporting Requirements. - Within the first quarter of the succeeding
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year, the Administrator of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
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through the Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources


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shall submit to the House Committee on Appropriation, the Senate Committee on
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Finance, and the Committees on Science and Technology of both Houses of
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Congress, a detailed report on the utilization of prior year's expended
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balances/savings in appropriations to implement the NAMRIA's modernization
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program.
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Sec. 10. Transitory Provision. - All existing laws, rules and regulations
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governing the NAMRIA shall continue to be in effect until repealed, revised, or
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amended.
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Sec. 11. Repealing Clause. - Any laws, executive orders, rules and regulations
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Inconsistent with or contrary to this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended.
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Sec. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be
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unconstitutional or invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain
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in full force and effect.
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Sec. 13. Effectivity Clause. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
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its publication in at least two (2) newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,