In line with NAMRIA's ongoing capacity-building efforts in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the Geomatics Training Center (GTC) under the Geospatial Information Services Division (GISD)-Geospatial Information System Management Branch (GISMB), conducted an in-person GIS training using the QGIS software. The training session took place at the Bureau of Soils and Water Management (BSWM) Auditorium in Quezon City from 20-24 May 2024. It was attended by representatives from the Regional Land Use Technical Working Group (RLUTWG) across various regions: Region CAR, I, II, IV-A, V, VII, IX, XI, XIII, and personnel from the Agriculture Land Management and Evaluation Division (AMLED).

 

The learning event stemmed from BSWM Director Gina P. Nilo's formal request for specialized GIS training. The Memorandum of Agreement, signed by NAMRIA Administrator Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD, CESO I, and Director Nilo, laid the foundation for this collaborative endeavor.

 

The primary goal of the five-day training was to equip the participants with practical knowledge and skills in using GIS that would facilitate the review and updating of the Network of Protected Areas for Agriculture and Agro-Industrial Development (NPAAAD) and the Strategic Agriculture and Fisheries Development Zone (SAFDZ). These areas are critical for ensuring sustainable agricultural and fisheries development, and the use of GIS technology is essential for their effective management.

 

Mr. Alvin F. Laurio and Nilca Jane F. Fabellon served as the resource speakers for the training. They provided in-depth lectures and hands-on sessions, covering various aspects of GIS and QGIS software applications.

 

Additionally, this writer and Mr. Mark Carlo A. Sarzaba provided technical and administrative support for the training. The training enhanced the participants' GIS skills and fostered more vital collaboration between NAMRIA and the BSWM, highlighting the importance of inter-agency cooperation in advancing the country's geospatial capabilities.