The NAMRIA Geomatics Training Center (GTC) conducted an online Basic GIS training on 22-25 August 2023, for 46 student-scholars enrolled in the graduate degree program of the National Police College (NPC)-Philippine Public Safety College (PPSC). The Master in Crisis and Disaster Risk Management (MCDRM) scholarship program is currently in its sixth batch. The training resulted from the request of Dr. Romeo S. Magsalos, the Director of NPC, to NAMRIA Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD. The conduct of the activity was formalized through a Memorandum of Agreement between NAMRIA and NPC-PPSC.

 

The PPSC is an agency under the Department of the Interior and Local Government. The 46 scholars under their MCDRM program hold mid-level management positions in various government entities, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, the Department of Health, the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development, local government units, the Mines and Geo-Sciences Bureau, the Office of Civil Defense, the Philippine Coast Guard, the Philippine National Police, and state colleges and universities.

 

Dr. Magsalos highlighted in his opening remarks that NAMRIA, being the central mapping agency of the Philippine government, possesses the necessary expertise to impart GIS technology to NPC-PPSC student-scholars. GIS is an essential component of the MCDRM program's curriculum and complements the disaster risk management module offered by the college.

 

Dr. Noel M. Capulong, MPSA, who is from the Research and Academic Affairs Division of NPC-PPSC, delivered the closing remarks on behalf of Dr. Magsalos. Feedback from both student-scholars and instructors was collected, and certificates of appreciation were awarded to the instructors and to NAMRIA for their valuable support to NPC, particularly Batch 6, MCDRM-Class KAMPILAN. The NAMRIA GTC team, led by Mr. Alvin F. Laurio and Engr. Hazeline Glace A. Ali-Cacapit, coordinated the training efforts, with the assistance of other NAMRIA GTC staff members.