To update the old base maps of Mindanao that dates back in the 1950s, the National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA) is currently implementing a digital topographic mapping project, which is also expected to bring about socio-economic and peace development in the region.

Dubbed “Topographic Mapping for Peace and Development in Mindanao,” the undertaking is a two-year joint project of Philippine and Japanese governments being financed through a grant of Y1 billion or about R300 million from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
NAMRIA, an attached agency of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), will be monitoring the activities.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje said the project aims to update the 205 topographic base maps covering Mindanao at 1:50,000 scale.

Topographic maps are base maps used for different purposes, such as providing base data necessary for development planning, infrastructure development, risk reduction and management, and environmental protection of the environment.

Mindanao has the oldest maps, dating back in the 1950s, as compared with Luzon maps produced in 1970s and regularly updated.

DENR said the peace and order situation in Mindanao prevented the updating of topographic maps.
Under the project’s implementation agreement signed on January 2010, JICA shall dispatch a project team and transfer technology to the Philippines while NAMRIA and Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) will facilitate the project involvement of other government and non-government organizations.

The DENR chief said that under the project, JICA, which has now set up an office in Mindanao, will subcontract the survey activities to private contractors.

“Data gathered from the survey activities will be endorsed to JICA for processing,” Paje said.
“Outputs of the project include reports, satellite images, ortho-image maps, ground control point coordinates, and 1:50,000 scale digital topographic data for geographic information system (GIS) application which will be distributed to local government units. These will serve as base information data that will help developers in their development projects in the region,” he added.