National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)

National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA)
Name	National Mapping and Resource Information Authority
Formed	1988
Preceding1	Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration
Jurisdiction	Philippines
Headquarters	Fort Bonifacio, Taguig
Parent agency	Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Contents

National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) is the central mapping agency of the Philippines responsible for topographic mapping, hydrography, remote sensing, and geospatial information management. It supports national planning, natural resource management, disaster risk reduction, and maritime navigation involving agencies such as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and Department of National Defense. NAMRIA's outputs inform projects by the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Interior and Local Government, United Nations Development Programme, World Bank, and regional bodies like the ASEAN.

History

NAMRIA traces its roots to mapping functions under the United States Geological Survey during the American colonial period and later to the Survey of the Philippines and agencies such as the Philippine Coast and Geodetic Survey and the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority Act of 1988. Its establishment followed reforms influenced by international standards from the International Hydrographic Organization, United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management, and technical cooperation with the Japan International Cooperation Agency and United States Agency for International Development. NAMRIA evolved through collaborations with the Asian Development Bank, contributions to projects like the Philippine Development Plan, and responses to events such as Typhoon Haiyan and the Tamaraw conservation initiatives, aligning with policy instruments like the Philippine Statistical Development Program.

NAMRIA operates under the Department of Environment and Natural Resources with a directorate structure connecting to entities such as the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority Board and advisory committees populated by representatives from the National Economic and Development Authority, Department of Science and Technology, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Coast Guard. Its internal branches reflect technical units similar to those in the United States Geological Survey, Ordnance Survey, and Geoscience Australia, including mapping, hydrography, remote sensing, and geospatial data management divisions that coordinate with provincial governments, metropolitan authorities like the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, and academic partners such as the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University.

NAMRIA's statutory mandates include producing topographic maps, maintaining national geodetic control networks, conducting hydrographic surveys, and managing earth observation data for stakeholders including the Department of Agriculture, Department of Health, Department of Transportation, Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology, and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority Board-linked planning bodies. It supplies geospatial datasets for initiatives by the Asian Development Bank, World Health Organization, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and local government units like provincial governments of Cebu, Palawan, and Davao del Sur. NAMRIA enforces standards compatible with specifications from the International Organization for Standardization, International Hydrographic Organization, and the Open Geospatial Consortium.

NAMRIA produces digital and analog topographic maps, orthophotos, digital elevation models, and thematic layers used by agencies such as the Department of Public Works and Highways, National Irrigation Administration, Department of Agrarian Reform, and research centers at the Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas. Its cartographic products support programs by the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority Board, contributions to the Global Map initiative, and interoperability with datasets from the European Space Agency, Landsat program of the United States Geological Survey, and Sentinel missions of the Copernicus Programme. NAMRIA distributes geospatial services compatible with platforms used by Google, Esri, and open-data initiatives endorsed by the United Nations.

NAMRIA's hydrographic service issues nautical charts, tide tables, and maritime safety information relied upon by the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Maritime Industry Authority, and international shipping organizations including the International Maritime Organization and International Hydrographic Organization. Its surveys support territorial and maritime boundary work involving the Department of Foreign Affairs, cases before the International Court of Justice, and scientific collaborations with institutes like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute. NAMRIA contributed data relevant to incidents in the South China Sea and operational planning for fisheries management in provinces such as Palawan and regions like Region IX.

NAMRIA undertakes research in geodesy, photogrammetry, remote sensing, and geoinformatics with partnerships echoing practices at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, European Space Agency, JAXA, and academic consortia including the International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing. It develops capacity-building programs for personnel from entities such as the Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Agriculture, and provincial planning offices, and adopts technologies like LiDAR, synthetic aperture radar, and cloud-based geospatial infrastructures promoted by the Open Geospatial Consortium and ISO.

Category:Philippine government agencies Category:National mapping agencies