Participants from the Naval Meteorological and Oceanographic Center (NAVMETOC) of the Philippine Navy (PN) completed NAMRIA’s Basic Hydrography Training Module 1 which was conducted from 14 to 18 November 2022 via Zoom. The 15 participants were from different technical backgrounds including geographic information system (GIS) operators, global navigation satellite system (GNSS) surveyors, information technology systems and meteorological office staff, among others.

 

The conduct of the virtual training was approved by NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD; and facilitated by the agency’s Survey Support Division of the Hydrography Branch (HB), in partnership with the Geomatics Training Center (GTC). The lecturers were composed of CAT A and CAT B hydrographers including LCdr. Gilbert A. Alviola, Lt. Dionesio C. Gato, Jr., Lt. Alvin V. Abraham, Lt. Marlon E. Estropia, and Lt. Geraldine O. Ronquillo. Also part of the pool of lecturers were Engr. Hennesey R. Marohom from the Mapping and Geodesy Branch and Engr. Jan Bryan O. Navarro from the Physical Oceanography Division-HB. Ens. Jessica Joy C. Benitez, PEns. Lemuel John A. Bagtas, and PEns. Ciarely C. Autor assisted in the conduct of the activity.

 

The week-long training course covered the following topics: Geodesy and Positioning, Water Levels and Flow, Bathymetry, Hydrographic Practice, and Hydrographic Data Handling. The program was part of NAMRIA’s efforts to provide technical assistance to other national government agencies. PN-NAVMETOC is one of the partners of NAMRIA in conducting joint hydrographic survey operations in the Philippine waters. A Basic Hydrography Training Module 2, the second and practical installment of the training course, is tentatively scheduled for 2023.