NAMRIA NEWSCOOP


NAMRIA Information, Education, and Communication Campaign for Maritime Companies held
By: Jeffrey Quodala

In line with introducing NAMRIA to the public it serves, and to its partners and stakeholders, an Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) Campaign for Maritime Companies was held at the conference room of the Hydrography Branch (HB) in NAMRIA-San Nicolas, Manila on 31 August 2016. The participants from the maritime companies were joined by students and trainees from maritime schools and training centers, and some NAMRIA personnel.
 
The campaign featured an exhibit of HB products and services at the third floor main lobby of the Map Production Center building; and a two-hour presentation on the HB and the functions of its four divisions, namely: Nautical Charting Division (NCD), Maritime Affairs Division (MAD), Physical Oceanography Division (POD), and Surveys Support Division (SSD).
 
The exhibit showcased the following: Nautical Chart nos. 1501 (Manila Bay and Approaches), 4333 (Puerto Princesa), 4723A (Kalayaan Island Group and Recto Bank including Bajo de Masinloc), and 4726A (Benham Rise).
 
The lecture started with the opening remarks of HB Officer-In-Charge Assistant Director, Capt. Amante R. Caluya, Jr. He welcomed and thanked the participants for their attendance and encouraged them to be attentive to the discussion. He also emphasized the importance of the IEC by highlighting the agency’s strategic programs on partnership and close collaboration with its stakeholders. This was followed by an audio-visual presentation of the functions and major projects of the four technical branches of NAMRIA.
 
Engr. Henry A. Coldes II and SN3 Angie Rose E. Lansangan of NCD discussed the uses of paper nautical charts and electronic navigational charts. LTSG. Aaron Andro V. Ching of MAD presented the importance of navigational warnings, notice to mariners, and various maritime publications of HB. Engr. Jan Bryan O. Navarro of POD focused on data gathering, analysis, and interpretation of tides and currents. LTSG. Lorena Jasmin D. Lerio of SSD presented products and services of HB and its importance to the general public. She also discussed the procedures to avail of these.
 
The open forum held after the lecture gave the participants the opportunity to clarify with the resource speakers certain points from their respective presentations. A tour of HB facilities which included actual demonstrations from the different units/divisions also formed part of the program.
 
Certificates and tokens of appreciation were given to all the resource persons after the tour. Each participant was given a certificate of attendance and NAMRIA centennial calendars.
 
In closing, Geospatial Information System Management Branch (GISMB)-Geospatial Information Services Division (GISD) Chief Maria Romina DR. Pe Benito thanked the participants for their participation. Mr. Jeffrey A. Quodala of GISMB-GISD acted as emcee and facilitator of the activity.
 
Scenes from the tour of HB facilities


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