After the disruptions caused by the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic three years ago, NAMRIA once again opened its doors to onsite educational tours. Civil, geodetic, and sanitary engineering faculty members and students from the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) visited the NAMRIA Fort Andres Bonifacio Office, Taguig City on 24 February 2023. The visit involved lectures and a virtual tour which were held at the covered court. Prior to the lectures, this writer, on behalf of NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD welcomed and thanked all those in attendance.

 

The faculty members and students were oriented on the agency's mapmaking processes and hydrographic surveying capabilities. Then there were the showing of the audio-visual presentation of the agency's profile and the virtual tour of the units involved in the mapmaking process.

 

Engr. Charisma Victoria D. Cayapan of the Geodesy Division-Mapping and Geodesy Branch discussed the agency's mapmaking processes. LCdr Maylord M De Chavez of the Nautical Charting Division-Hydrography Branch discussed hydrography for nautical charting, also the agency's corps of commissioned service.

 

There was the exchange of information and ideas during the open forum, which came after the lectures. Copies of the Map 101, Volume XXV issue of Infomapper were handed over to Engr. Nelia P. Verzosa, Officer in Charge Dean of the College of Engineering. Infomapper is NAMRIA's publication on surveys, mapping, and geospatial information management. Centennial calendars were also given as tokens of appreciation to all faculty members and students. In her closing message, Engineer Verzosa acknowledged NAMRIA's efforts to make the educational tour a successful one even though it fell on a special non-working day.

 

Staff from the Geospatial Information System Management Branch (GISMB) and the Engineering Services Division of the Support Services Branch provided documentation and logistics support. This writer, from the Geospatial Information Services Division (GISD)-GISMB, served as the event leader and host/facilitator of the program. Mr. Vener Quintin C. Taguba, Jr., also of GISD-GISMB, was the photographer for the event.