In line with the 2022 celebration of the Maritime and Archipelagic Nation Awareness Month (MANA Mo), NAMRIA, through its Maritime Affairs Division-Hydrography Branch (HB), conducted a two-day coffee-session public event entitled e-Kapihan sa NAMRIA: NAMRIA’s Obligations to IMSAS and e-Kapihan sa NAMRIA: Marine Geospatial Information Sharing for Development. The e-Kapihan sessions were conducted via Zoom on 27 and 29 September 2022, respectively.

 

The activity was conceptualized to make the maritime services of NAMRIA better known to internal and external stakeholders by inviting their representatives to open conversations in less formal settings.

 

On 27 September 2022, LCdr. Lorena Jasmin D. Lerio led the first session entitled e-Kapihan sa NAMRIA: NAMRIA’s Obligations to International Maritime Organization (IMO) Member State Audit Scheme (IMSAS). Lieutenant Commander Lerio explained the background of the program, the IMSAS and its council, and NAMRIA’s obligations to IMSAS in accordance with the Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). The session aimed to prepare key NAMRIA officials and employees who will be involved in the IMSAS audit to be held in 2023.

 

 

On 29 September 2022, LCdr. Aaron Andro V. Ching led the second session entitled e-Kapihan sa NAMRIA: Marine Geospatial Information Sharing for Development. He gave an overview of NAMRIA’s maritime services and initiatives. Engr. Jan Bryan O. Navarro expounded on sea level trends, data outputs products, and the ongoing and future projects of HB’s Physical Oceanography Division. The participants in the session included notable public and private maritime stakeholders and partners of NAMRIA, and other interested individuals who voluntarily registered for the activity.

 

 

The second session aimed to promote NAMRIA’s efforts for the safety of navigation, orient the stakeholders about NAMRIA's Maritime Safety Information (MSI) Service, update stakeholders on the value of marine geospatial information in supporting development goals, encourage maritime stakeholders to voluntarily share geospatial data and information with NAMRIA in a timely manner, and provide a venue for stakeholders to discuss with NAMRIA their concerns on relevant products and services.