TW 
ES 
First Regular Session 
.c 
S.B. NO. 
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either inadequate or grossly outdated.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; 
6. Information Technology Strategic Plan, which seeks to develop and define an 
over-all medium-term information technology structure for NAMRIA to include the 
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, 
Oceanographic 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”: 
I. 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. 
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. 
4. 
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 
excavation 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. Updated reference materials. 
I O .  
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. 
In view of the foregoing considerations, 
immediate passage 'of this bill is 
earnestly sought. 
JI 
Senator 


1 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
First Regular Session 
1 
SENATE 
S.B. NO. 
Introduced by Sen. Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada 
i 
/
"
>
 
AN ACT 
G FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL MAPPING AND 
RESOURCE INFORMATION AUTHORITY (NAMRIA) 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "NAMRIA 
Modernization Act." 
SECTION 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 all. However, national development and policies must 
be based on current information on land resources. The National Mapping and 
Resource Information Authority (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. 
SECTION 3. Objectives of the 
MR/A 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 an equipment acquisition 
program consonant with technological advances to hasten the conduct of 
needed 
nationwide 
geodetic, 
topographic, 
hydrographic 
and 
oceanog rap h i c su rveys . 
(c) 
To establish a one-stop shop of geographically referenced database and 
related information. 
SECTION 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 for 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 reseqrch and natural resources 
database development activities; and 
(e) To upgrade, modernize and acquire appropriate surveying and map making 
technology and equipment. 
SECTION 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 carry out the nationwide coordination of 
geographic information development activities and to strengthen research 
and development program; 
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; 
HUMAN RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT. - Aims to upgrade the skills of 
its personnel, develop, implement and institutionalize a program designed 
to optimize personnel capabilities through a sustainable training and 
develop strategies in improving the quality of work as well as the standard 
of living of its personnel. 
SECTION 6. Development of NAMRlA Capabjlifies. - 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 
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 a reas; 
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 a 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 for 
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; 
I 
.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 NAMRJA shall 


and 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. 
densify existing geographic network, integrate existing 
cadastral and control data into Philippine Resources System, 
establishment of a network maintenance system and 
modernization of surveys practices; 
2.f. 
initiate the 
delineation 
of 
administrative boundaries 
throughout the country in coordination with the Land 
Management Bureau and other government agencies. 
IMPROVEMENT 
OF 
RESkARCH 
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; 
SECTION 7. Period of Implementation. - The modernization program under 
this Act shall be implemented over a period of ten (IO) years: Provided, however, that 
payments for amortization of outstanding multi-year contract obligations incurred under 
this Act may extend beyond this period. 
SECTION 8. Appropriation for the NAMRlA Modernization Program. - The 
annual appropriations for the NAMRIA Modernization program shall include the 
amounts necessary to support the funding requirements for all modernization projects 
approved by Congress. 
The funds to be appropriated by Congress under this Act shall be treated as a 
distinct and separate budget item from the regular appropriations for the Department of 
Environment and Natural Resources and the NAMRJA and shall be administered by the 
Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources. 
SECTION 9. Multi-Year Contracts and Other Contractual Arrangements. - 
(a) The Secretary of Environment & 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 yea: 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. 
(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. 
SECTION I O .  Procurement Sysfem, - In addition to the provisions of existing 
laws, rules and regulations regarding procurement and acquisition of equipment, the 
DENR and NAMRIA shall strengthen said system and procedures taking into account 
new requirements under the NAMRIA modernization program. The NAMRIA is hereby 
given the authority to strengthen its systems and procedures for equipment acquisition, 
taking into account new requirements under the NAMRIA modernization program. 
SECTION 11. Tax Exempfion. - The importation by NAMRIA of mapping and 
surveying material such as photogrammetic, eartographic, survey, data processing, 
remote sensing equipment and materials supplies, and spare parts which will be used 
actually, directly and exclusively in its operations shall be exempt from all forms of 
taxes, duties and other fees. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 13. Auferify 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 
DENk 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. 
SECTION 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. 
SECTION 15. Repealing Clause. - All laws, executive orders, rules and 
regulations inconsistent with or contrary to this Act, are hereby deemed accordingly 
repealed or amended. 
SECTION 16. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect after fifteen days 
(15) from its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation. 
APPROVED,