HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES
RECEIVED
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

REGISTRATION UNIT
BILLS AND INDEX SERVICE

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No, 1145

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

EXPLANATORY NOTE

‘The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) was created in
1987 by virtue of Executive Order No. 192. NAMRIA is the government's central mapping
agency, depository and distribution facility for natural resources data of the country. The agency
is responsible for the establishment of a nationwide geodetic network of control points that
serves as common reference system for all surveys in the country. The research being conducted
by the agency is instrumental for development planning, environment and natural resource
management, and delineation of maritime territories.

The importance of the realization of the mandates of NAMRIA has been more evident
during the amendment of the Philippine Archipelagic Baselines in 2009. NAMRIA undertook
the Global Positioning System (GPS) surveys of the proposed basepoints. The agency submitted
several baseline configurations for Congress to consider. The new baselines law, Republic Act
No. 9522, was eventually passed in March 2009. The RA 9522 is consistent with the UNCLOS
and serves as the country’s maritime jurisdiction and a means to establish maritime boundaries
with neighboring Coastal States.

Mote recently, NAMRIA spearheaded the Philippine Extended Continental Shelf in the
Benham Rise Region in cooperation with other several government agencies and personalities.
The extension claim in the Benham Rise Region was approved on 12 April 2012 by the
Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) of the United Nations. The CLCS
approval has effectively added to the Philippine maritime jurisdiction 135,506 square
kilometers of seabed area for the exclusive management, exploitation, and benefit of the
Filipino nation.

In order for the NAMRIA to realize their mandate as the central surveying and mapping
agency of the Republic of the Philippines, and provide the government and the private sector
with reliable geospatial information, this proposed measure pushes for the modernization of the
NAMRIA for them to effectively contribute to the planning and implementation of development
programs of the country.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this measure is eamestly sought.
\

|. GARYA. ALEJANO


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REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

House Bill No. _ 1145,

Introduced by MAGDALO Party-List Representative
HON. GARY C. ALEJANO

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:
SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as “NAMRIA Modernization Act.”

SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. ~ It is hereby declared the policy of the State to ensure the
prosperity of the nation and free the people from poverty by adopting policies and programs that
will ensure national security, and provide adequate social services, stimulate and improve the
efficiency of economic activities, empower the people to raise their standard of living, and

increase their resiliency against climate change, and natural and man-made disasters.

The State recognizes the importance of accurate geospatial information in the planning
and implementation of economic development programs. The State shall therefore promote and
pursue technology-based infrastructure and facilities for data acquisition, production, integration,
sharing and widest dissemination of geospatial information. This shall be achieved through the
modernization of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) to
enable the agency to effectively and fully perform its mandate to act as the central surveying and
mapping agency of the Republic of the Philippines, and provide the government and the private
sector with reliable geospatial information.

SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. -For purposes of this Act, the following terms are thus
defined:

a) Aerial Photograph - refers to a photograph of the earth's surface taken from an
aircraft in flight.


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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.

Elevation - refers to the vertical distance of a feature of the earth’s surface from a

reference level such as sea level.

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.

Geospatial- refers to the geographic location and characteristics of natural or
constructed features aud boundaries on, above, or below the earth’s surface; esp.
referring to data that is geographic and spatial in nature,

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.

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.

Geodetic survey - refers to the type of surveying which considers the size and shape
of the earth. This type of survey covers a large area and intends primarily to establish
a reference system ftom which ail other surveys are referred to.

Geodetic reference system - refers to a coordinate system and a set of reference

points, used to locate points or objects on the Earth.

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.


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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.
1) Geophysical - refers to the structural and physical properties of the earth.

m) 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 classification - 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.

©) 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) Nautical charting - refers to the process of compiling, constructing and reproducing a
special purpose map (called @ chart) for marine navigation or other particular

purposes.

4) Nautical chart - refers to a special purpose map portraying water bodies in relation to
Jand indicating depths of water, dangers and aid to navigation and other information

necessary for safe marine navigation and other practical purposes.

1) Physical oceanographic survey - refers to the measurement of tides (sea level), waves
and currents, salinity, temperature, density, turbidity, nutrient contents, ete, at various
positions, depths and time; an expedition for the purpose of gathering water sample

and measuring the above data.

8) Satellite Imageries - refers to imageries of the earth’s surface taken from an artificial

satellite in orbit.


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1) Surveying - refers to the orderly process of determining data relating to any
physical characteristics of the Earth such as the location or boundaries of and or

bodies of water.

) 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.

¥) 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
modernization program shall be implemented in accordance with the following 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;

() To implement a modern data acquisition program and to upgrade its capabilities in
the conduct of geodetic, geophysical, topographic, hydrographic , oceanographic and
land classification and related surveys;

(©) 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

(©) To implement a contiruing 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.

SEC. 5. Components of the NAMRIA Modernization Program. — The NAMRIA

modernization program shall consist of the following components:

(a) National Topographic Base Mapping Program. The program involves the continuing

acquisition of high-resolution imageries of the earth's surface (such as satellite
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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) National Geodetic Network Development. 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.

(©) Hydrographic, Oceanographic and Nautical Charting Program. ‘The program
involves the measurement of the physical features of the oceans and seas for the
production of navtical charts for safety of navigation within Philippine waters and

sustainable use of the country’s coastal and marine resources.

(@) Environment and Natural Resources Mapping Program. The program involves the
production of up-to-date environment and natural resources datasets and maps for use
of government agencies, local government units, business and the general public.

(©) Philippine Geospatial Data Infrastructure. The program involves the establishment
and management of an online access facility to enable integration and sharing of
geospatial data generated by government agencies, the academe and other

organizations using a common set of standard topographic base maps.

(f) Human Resource Development - The program includes upgrading the skills of
NAMRIA’s personnel, both civilian, commissioned and enlisted services; develop,
implement and institutionalize a program designed to optimize personnel capabilities
through sustained trainings.

(g) Research, Development and Extension. The program involves the assessment of
existing and development of new systems and procedures to enhance the delivery of
NAMRIA products and services, and support the development of the geospatial
information industry in the country.

SEC. 6. All government agencies, Local Government Units, State Universities and
Colleges, Government Owned and Controlled Corporations, and other Government
Instrumentalities are mandated to coordinate their geospatial information activities with
NAMRIA to avoid duplication of efforts and optimize the use of geospatial resources.


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SEC. 7. Appropriations. - The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act shall

be included in the annual General Appropriations Act

SEC. 8. Use of Income. - The NAMRIA is hereby authorized to utilize any income

derived from its products and services in furtherance of the objectives of this Act.

SEC. 9. Reporting Requirements, — Within the first quarter of the succeeding year, the
‘Administrator of the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority through the
Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall submit to the House
Committee on Appropriation, the Senate Committee on Finance, and the Committees on Science
and Technology of both Houses of Congress, a detailed report on the utilization of prior year’s
expended balances/savings in appropriations to implement the NAMRIA’s modemization

program.

SEC. 10. Transitory Provision. — All existing laws, rules and regulations governing the

NAMRIA shall continue to be in effect until repealed, revised, or amended.

SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, rules and regulations

inconsistent with or contrary to this Act are hereby deemed repealed or amended.

SEC. 12. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act shall be unconstitutional or

invalid, the other provisions not otherwise affected shall remain in full force and effect.

SEC. 13. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect after fifteen (15) days from its

publication in at least two (2) newspapers of national circulation.

Approved,