House Bill No.  E321
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inadequate or grossly outdated.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,  jn  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. The following benefits
and   assistance   are   foreseen   to   be   derived   upon   the   completion   of   the   "NAMRIA
Modernization Program":
1.           Local  Government  Sector.  Regional,  provincial,  municipal,  and  integrated
area development planning;  zoning  and  control  of land  use;  establishment of boundaries of
local government units (LGUs),  barangay roads,  and water systems;  classification of LGUs
according to levels of development, effective implementation of the Local Government Code;
provision of a stable base of information for tax mapping operations and efficient real estate
tax collection system;  litigation of land cases and processing of applications for certificates of
land titles; assessment of taxes and other revenue generating programs.


2.           Economic  Sector.  Physical  framework  planning;  monitoring  and  evaluation
of  geographic  locations;   planning  of  urban,  regional,  and  economic  growth  centers  and
countryside development.
3.      Agriculture   Sector.   Planning   geographic   locations   of   agricultural   support
services; identification of areas suitable for agriculture; formulation of food security measures
and   prediction   of   food   yields;   Comprehensive   Agrarian   Reform   Program   Monitoring;
integrated forestry programs.
4.          Environment and Natural Resources sector. Regulation and disposition of
public/forest lands;  monitoring the exploitation and depletion of natural resources;  resources
development  and  conservation  planning;  environmental  and  forest  protection;  watershed
management, and resource policy formulation; support to legislation such as "Irrigation Crisis
Act,  Forestry Code,  Mining  Law,  National  Land  Use  Code,  Land  Code,  National  Integrated
Protected Areas System Law, among others.
5.  Public Works  Sector.  Infrastructure  planning,  design  and  development;  facilities
planning  and  management;   location  of  facilities  including  but  not  limited  to  water  pipes,
electrical,  and  telephone  lines  for  proper  repair,   maintenance,   building,  and  evacuation
scheduling; formulation and  utilization of long  term  programs of disaster prevention through
preventive infrastructure.
6.           National   Defense  Sector.   planning  strategic  and   intelligence  operations;
mapping out territorial limits of the country for security purposes.
7.          Transportation,  Communications, and Tourism.  Development of effective
traffic management system; efficient road planning, alternative route management, and other
areas  of  concern  for  public  transport  needs;  road  condition  monitoring;  railroad  planning;
navigable river and  coastal shipping  reference for the development of a feasible alternative
passenger system.
8.           Health  and  Social  Welfare  Sector.   Physical   planning  of  health  support
services  and  surveys;  relief operations  planning;  disaster  management guide;  hazard  and
risk evaluation; formulation of disaster preventive programs.
9.          Education sector. Update reference materials.
10.        Private  Sector.  Thematic  mapping,  selection  and  development  of  sites  for
real  estate and  other development;  efficient delivery of services;  and  to furnish,  at minimal
cost, integrated and comprehensive land database.
sought.'n  View  Of the foregoing  Considerations,  immediate  passage  of this  bill  is  earnestly
GUEZ


NINETEENTH CONGRESS                  )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES    )
First Regular session                           )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez                              ___
House Bill No.   5321
AN ACT
PROVIDING    FOR    THE    MODERNIZATION    OF    THE    NATIONAL    MAPPING    AND
RESOURCE INFORMATION AUTHORllY (NAMRIA)
Be it erl?ct.ed  by the Senate and  House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
SECTION  1.   Short Ti.I/e. This Act shall  be known as the "NAMR/A Moderni.zafi.on
Acf,.
SEC 2.  Dec/araf/-on of po//.cy.   It is hereby declared 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 all.
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.
SIC 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.   Genera/  Mandafe  and  Responst.bi.//.fi.es.  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   of   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,   modernize  and  acquire  appropriate  surveying  and   map  making
technology and equipment.
SEC  5.  Components  of  the  NAMRIA  Modernization  Program,  The  NAME(lA
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  mechanism  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;   develop,   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.  Deye/opment  of WAMR/A  Capabi-/i.fi.es.    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,  jt shall:
(1)  Provide  updated  water  and  land-based  information  in  the  form  of digital
basemaps 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,    standardized    and    reliable    geographic   and
resource information, and;
(4)  Serve   the   various   mapping   needs   of  government  agencies   and   the
private sector.
(b)  DEVELOPMENT    OF    INFORMATION    TECHNOLOGY    CAPABILllY   -   The
NAMRIA,  shall  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    zones    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.  intensify 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    CAPABILllY    -
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. Pert.od of /mp/emenfaffon -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:  Provi.ded, 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.
(c)     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 agreements 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.  Tar frempfi.on.  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. Amua/  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. AusfeH.fy and Use of Savi.ngs. Upon 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 appropriations; 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.    Saparabi./i.fy   C/ause.    If   any   provision    of   this   Act   shall    be    held
unconstitutjonal  or  invalid,  the  other  provisions  not  otherwise  affected  shall  remain  in  full
force and effect.
SEC   15.   Repea//.ng   C/ause.   All   laws,   executive   orders,   rules   and   regulations
inconsistent  with   or   contrary   to   this   Act,   are   hereby   deemed   repealed   or  amended
accordingly.
SEC 16. Effecf7.y/-fy C/at/se.   This act shall take effect after fifteen days (15) from its
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.
Approved,