GeoManila

GE Board Prep

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 16:00:50 PDT

The Geodetic Engineering Licensure exams cover Theory and Practice, Mathematics, Laws, Geodesy and Cartography. This year, it will be held on September 6-7. I have been gathering references and most of them are posted here in GeoManila. Below is a listing of posts per subject and direct links to documents from other sites.

Geodesy and Cartography
Geodesy for the Layman
Glossary of Mapping Science
Glossary of GPS Terms
Map reading 101
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
PRS92
UP AGST
Equinoxes

Laws
Background on Laws, Policies and Concepts of Land Ownership (Part 1/3)
Background on Laws, Policies and Concepts of Land Ownership (Part 2/3)
Background on Laws, Policies and Concepts of Land Ownership (Part 3/3)
On PD 957 and BP 220
On CARP
On Mining
On Land Survey, Disposition and Management

I hope you'll find these materials useful as I have. Good luck!

Equinoxes

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 21:32:12 PDT

Below is a nice clip on equinoxes. Thank you NatGeo!

PNoy's SONA 2011

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 19:25:29 PDT

In case anyone missed watching the 2011 State of the Nation Address from President Noynoy Aquino on TV, pinaswatcher5 uploaded it on youtube last Monday. Here's the video:

Laws and diagrams

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 20:16:17 PDT

I find diagrams useful in seeing relationships of different elements. For the upcoming Geodetic Engineerig board exams, I made one with laws and regulations related to the profession. Most of their texts are also online. For regulations on land surveys, they can be accessed from the DENR site (Ex.DMC 2010-13). Click on the image below to see it in full.

Land title handed to Boracay tribe

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 23:09:17 PST

Source: Inquirer.net, By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.

BORACAY ISLAND, Philippines—The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) on Friday formally turned over a land title to the Ati community of Boracay Island for a lot that will serve as a permanent home for the tribe.

The Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT), in the name Boracay Ati Tribal Organization (Bato), covers a 2.1-hectare lot in Barangay Manoc-Manoc at the northern end of the 1,032-hectare island. The beach front land will be the new home for 40 Ati families, or at least 200 tribe members.

The Atis said they hoped the document would seal their right to live on the island that their elders have inhabited for so long.

In constant flight

“For years we have transferred from one place to another. We hope this will finally end because of this title,” said tribe elder Guillermo Vicente.

The Atis had applied for a CADT on Feb. 23, 2000, at the NCIP to prevent their ejection from the land. They reiterated their application in a petition filed in 2003.

The NCIP en banc issued CADT RO6-MAL-0610-157 on Aug. 3, 2010, for the Ati community. The title was registered at the Land Registration Agency in November last year.

Ifugao Rep. Teddy Baguilat, chair of the House committee on national cultural communities, said the granting of the CADT was a significant achievement in realizing the Atis’ struggle to have a place of their own.

Original settlers

The NCIP and anthropological studies have backed up claims that the Atis were the earliest settlers on the island but were displaced and driven away especially starting in the 1970s when businesses mushroomed riding on a tourism boom.

The Ati families have been living in a one-hectare lot in Sitio Bulabog in Barangay Balabag.

But they have repeatedly faced threats of eviction from the community which is in adjoining lots separately owned by the families of Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores and Aniceto Yap.

Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said the title was an initial but historic victory for the Ati community that has continuously resisted moves to oust them from the island.

“This is just a small piece of heaven,” Ilagan said, referring to Boracay which has often been called “paradise-island” for its white powdery sand and crystal clear waters.

Land grabbers

But the transfer of the Atis to their new home is still undetermined because of resistance from a group of claimants who have occupied parts of the lot.

The claimants have erected a barbed wire fence and posted armed security guards in parts of the property.

NCIP chair Roque Agton Jr. said the commission would issue a writ of possession that would pave the way for the Atis to occupy the land. He said all legal measures would be used to convince the claimants to vacate the lot.

At least 300 persons attended the historic turnover rites held at the Holy Rosary Parish Church, including Aklan Gov. Carlito Marquez, other NCIP officials, priests, nuns, members of religious groups and Boracay community leaders.

The turnover was also attended by members of the House committee on national cultural communities such as North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco (vice chair), Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan (member) and Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño who supported the Atis’ fight for land.

Digital Topographic Mapping of Mindanao on

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:56:01 PDT

Source: Rhodina Villanueva of The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said it is now conducting a digital topographic mapping of Mindanao that is expected to bring about socio-economic development on the island.

The National Mapping and Resources Information Authority (NAMRIA), an attached agency of the DENR, is in charge of the project.

Dubbed “Topographic Mapping for Peace and Development in Mindanao,” the two-year project is a joint undertaking of the Philippine and Japanese governments with a grant of one billion yen (about P300 million) from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

“The project is not only expected to result in socio-economic and peace development in the region but also serves as a commitment for the first 100 days of President Aquino,” Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje said.

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

The project also aims to provide base data necessary for development planning, infrastructure development, risk reduction and management, and environmental protection.

Under the joint undertaking, JICA would dispatch a project team and transfer technology to the Philippines, while NAMRIA and the Mindanao Development Authority would facilitate the involvement of other government agencies and non-government organizations.

Paje said JICA, which has set up an office in Mindanao, would subcontract the survey to private contractors, while NAMRIA would monitor the activities.

“Data gathered from the survey activities will be endorsed to JICA for processing. 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 application which will be distributed to local government units. These outputs will serve as base information data, which will help developers in their projects in Mindanao,” Paje said.

References on Urban Planning and Regional Planning - Part 2

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:36:35 PST

Below are the slideshows presented in our Urban and Regional Planning class under Dr. Paringit. These have been shared in our e-groups but is currently unaccessible(Yahoo?). Luckily, I was able to download them last night.

Transportation in Urban Planning
Urban Design
Miscellaneous Topics on Urban Planning
Other references for the class are below:

Conceptual Design
Settlements and Urban Planning
Environment : Urban Planning
For further reading, also see the following:

The CLUP Guidebook from HLURB
References on Urban Planning Part 1

If the earth stood still

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:44:54 PDT

What would happen if the earth's rotation slowed down and finally stopped spinning over a period of a few decades? ArcGIS lets us model the effects of this scenario, performing calculations and estimations and creating a series of maps showing the effects the absence of centrifugal force would have on sea level. Read more »

DENR adopts new Manual on Land Survey Procedures

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:45:40 PDT

The DENR adopted the new Manual on Land Survey Procedures via DENR Memo Circular 2010-13 on June 23, 2010. This was signed by then acting Secretary Horacio C. Ramos. The manual is a project of the Land Management Bureau and the Land Administration Management Project 2. This shall complement DAO 2007-29 which is the Revised Regulations on Land Survey.
DENR Memo Circ-2010-13 Manual of Land Survey Procedures

Binay warns public on land scam

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 23:07:46 PST

Source: PDI

MANILA, Philippines—More bad news for Vice President Jejomar Binay.
Last week, his name was used in a "text scam," where recipients of text messages were told they won in a raffle sponsored by a group called "Millionaires' Club for Binay." Now, the vice president is linked to an alleged "land scam."

According to Benjamin Martinez, Binay's chief of staff, "some people have been making the rounds of government offices, saying they were looking for properties to buy on behalf of the vice president." Some of the real estate are supposed to be used by Binay, also chair of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council, for government housing projects." The others are supposedly for the vice president's personal use," disclosed Martinez. Martinez asserted "this is a scam and it is unfortunate that there are some people who would choose to use the name of the vice president to deceive their fellow Filipinos."

Binay's office received reports of the alleged land scam from the former Makati City mayor's "fraternity brothers in the Alpha Phi Omega."

"One of the incidents happened two weeks ago in Bacolod City where an unidentified person made the rounds of government offices there, announcing he was looking for properties to purchase on behalf of the vice president,” said Martinez. “A similar incident was reported somewhere in the Cagayan Valley where a certain ‘Hermie Ramos’ also visited the local offices of the Land Transportation Office and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and gave the same story," he said.

In a statement, Martinez said, "We do not know this Mr. Ramos. He and his companions are not connected with the Office of the Vice President."

"We have asked the proper authorities to look into the matter," Martinez also said.
He noted, "The OVP has not authorized anyone to purchase real property or to gather reports of irregularities in government offices."

Last week, Martinez urged the public to ignore the text messages using Binay's name. He said they would "not tolerate such acts and we will see to it that this issue will be resolved." Binay's office has asked Globe Telecommunications to "ban the number (0926-9696182) used by the people behind the text scam."

According to Martinez, "the circulating text message reads: NOTICE Ur SIM card # won P750,000 n 2nd anniversary raffle draw 08/02/2010. From: Millionaires Club 4 Vice President Binay. Please call me. L. PINEDA." Binay's staff said they "do not know this L. Pineda nor he or she is connected with the Office of the Vice President."

Settlements and Urban Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:19:31 PDT

This morning, I was part of a group that presented "Settlements" in our Urban and Regional Planning class. It touched on case studies of settlements in Pakistan, Slovenia and Singapore. It also touches the settlements in the Philippines, government institutions and important laws on housing and land use planning. Special attention should also be given on the later part of the presentation where features of Batas Pambansa Bilang 220 (BP220) and Presidential Decree No. 957 (PD957) where compared. Below is our slide presentation. Please feel free to download and share it to your friends. Comments and suggestions are also welcome.

Applications of GIS in Logistics and Transportation

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 01:08:40 PDT

As part of a class, we were tasked to present real-world applications of Geographic Information Systems. Our group were assigned to its application in logistics and transportation. It features a case study by Tom Cova on evacuation planning using GIS. It also shows examples of popular traffic information sites run by web GIS such as traffic.com.

DENR for review, not repeal of Mining Act

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 01:15:26 PDT

Source: PhilStar

MANILA, Philippines - Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje is supporting legislative efforts to review and improve the Philippine Mining Act. In an interview with The Star today, he clarified that contrary to some reports, he is not for the abrogation of the law.

"Even CBCP (Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines) categorically said that they are not against mining per se, therefore we must have a law to govern mining," Paje said. "I am not for abrogation; only for [the law's] improvement. It's a 15-year old law, I believe it has room for improvement."

Paje said the DENR welcomes the bill filed in Congress which seeks a review of the Mining Act and put in place responsible mining in the country.

"We can't prevent Congress from reviewing its law," he stressed.

Mining firms, for their part, said the important issue and consideration that should be addressed is the strict implementation of mining law and ordinances by concerned agencies, not the repeal of the law, to ensure that natural resources are put to good use and consider environment safety.

Watershed Management and GIS

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:25:49 PDT

Below is a list of online literature on watershed and the application of GIS for watershed management.
Application of GIS Technology in Watershed-based Management and Decision Making.
Tim U.S. and Mallavaram S. 2003

Application of GIS in Water Management.
Forest Survey of India

A GIS Based Watershed Analysis System for Tillamook, Oregon
Melancon, P. A. 1999

Communities and Watershed Governance in Visayas, Philippines
Environmental Science for Social Change. 2009

Integrated Watershed Management: Principles and Practice
Isobel Heathcote. 2009

Realities of Watershed Management in the Philippines: The Case of the Iloilo-Maasin Watershed.
Francisco H.A. and Salas J.C. 2004

Remote Sensing and GIS in Watershed Area Management
Karanjit, S. 2002

Remote Sensing and GIS in Inflow Estimation: The Magat Reservoir, Philippines Experience.
Sarmiento et al. 2010

Use of Geographic Information System (GIS) tool in watershed hydrology and irrigation water management.
Sarangi, A. et al.

Gisdevelopment.net has a number of Geospatial application papers that focus on watershed. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also developed the BASINS system, an integrated tool for managing watersheds.

Note: Photo from Nilo Arribas Jr. of Birdwatch.ph

Caraga GIS Project gets funding from KOICA

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:48:54 PDT

Source: MB.com.ph

BUTUAN CITY (PIA) – The Korean Overseas International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) is set to release the amount of $50,000 for the National Economic Development Authority’s (NEDA) project on the institutionalization of Regional Geographic Information System Network (RGISN) in the Caraga Region.
The Region 13 office here of NEDA said the fund will be downloaded anytime as the RGISN project is ready for implementation.

This developed after a meeting between KOICA’s Resident Representative Jinoh Kim and NEDA Regional Director Carmencita S. Cochingco was held last month.

In the meeting, the project was presented by Eun Sun Jang, a Korean Overseas Volunteer (KOV) specializing in Geographic Information System (GIS) assigned to NEDA Caraga since November 2008.

Kim expressed KOICA's interest in establishing a direct and substantial collaboration with NEDA since Korea is one of those countries consistently providing aid to the Philippines, Cochingco said.

She said the Caraga Region is also the focus of KOICA assistance, where 14 KOVs are currently deployed.

“This program is a big help to Caraganons,” Cochingco said.

As socio-economic planning agency of the region and the secretariat of the Regional Development Council (RDC), the NEDA Caraga will be spearheading the institutionalization of a geographic information system (GIS) in the region as support mechanism for effective planning and resource allocation and management, policy making, decision making, investment programming and monitoring and evaluation of socio-economic and environmental initiatives, programs and projects, she said.

Testing pictoGEO, Geotag, GeoSetter and Prune

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:36:14 PDT

Geotagging is the process of adding geographic data to photographs. It makes use of the clocks present on gps-enabled devices such as receivers (ex. Garmin Etrex, Nuvi), data loggers and even mobile phones (E61, Xperia) and the clock on the digital camera. After synchronizing the two devices, you can take pictures and then geotag them using a (free) software.

For the next weeks, I'll be testing these free popular geotagging softwares - pictoGEO, Geotag, GeoSetter and Prune. Check back for updates.

DENR to start processing applications for residential free patents

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:05:31 PDT

Source: DENR
Publishing date: 08 July 2010

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is now accepting applications for free patent covering residential lands.

DENR Secretary Ramon Paje made the announcement today, saying the necessary application forms have been downloaded to all field offices of the department nationwide.

“We are enjoining the public to take advantage of this new program of the government. Not only is this free, but this will also legalize the private land rights of qualified Filipinos who are found to be occupying zoned residential lands without appropriate land titles,” Paje explained.

According to Paje, all applications for residential free patents should be filed with the agency’s Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) which has jurisdiction over the land being applied for. There are 170 CENROs all over the country, according to him.

The processing and issuance of free patents to zoned residential lands, including town sites, comes with the passage of Republic Act No. 10023, otherwise known as the New Free Patent Act on Residential Land.

Under the Act, any Filipino citizen who is an actual occupant of a residential land for at least 10 years may apply for a free patent provided that the land being applied for is not needed for public service or public use.

Paje, however, clarified that the size of the lot an applicant is eligible to apply for should not exceed 200 square meters in highly urbanized cities, 500 square meters in other cities, 750 sq. meters in first and second class municipalities and 1,000 sq. meters in all other municipalities.

In filing for free patent, the DENR chief is urging the applicants to bring the necessary documents to support their claim over the land being applied for.

LMB OIC Director and concurrent Executive Director of the Land Administration and Management Project (LAMP) Allan V. Barcena said around 39 millions are expected to benefit from the New Free Patent Act.

Considered a landmark legislation as it streamlined the requirements for land titling, RA 10023 is one of the strategic reforms in the land sector initiated under second phase of LAMP and championed in the Lower House by Zamboanga del Sur Representative and former DENR Secretary Antonio Cerilles and in the Senate by Sen. Richard Gordon.

The CLUP Guidebook and more from HLURB.gov.ph

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:06:05 PDT

Of all the government websites, the HLURB website is one that delivers the needed services in the most direct, no non-sense manner. I hope the other government sites would follow suit.
Below are some documents that Local Government Units(LGU's), Engineering students, Real Estate Brokers and Urban Planners would find very useful. Most of them are available for download. To download, right click on the link and 'save as'.

CLUP Guidebook Vol. 1

Full Text (19.8MB)
Per Topic

CLUP Guidebook Vol. 2 Download: Full Text Per Topic

Full Text (6.5MB)
Per Topic

CLUP Guidebook Vol. 3

Model Zoning Ordinance

Full Text (18.3MB)

Status/List of CLUP Preparation (June 2010)

Full Text (356KB)

List of Registered Brokers in NCR (2009)

Brokers
Companies
Salesmen

FAQ's

On HLURB

HLURB Policies

HLURB Board Resolutions

Approved Board Resolutions Series of 2009

Other Downloads

Downloadable Forms

Malaysia to host Map Asia 2010 and ISG 2010

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 02:07:05 PDT

With the theme "Connecting Government and Citizen through Ubiquitous GIS", GIS Development Private Limited and the Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia will host Map Asia 2010 alongside the International Symposium and Exhibition on Geoinformation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 26-28, 2010. The event will feature a conference for professional surveyors and seminars on Land Administration, Urban Planning, GIS, GPS Technology, Remote Sensing and Geomatics. The Map Asia 2010 Exhibition also promises to be the centerpiece of the event by showcasing new technologies and solutions for the mapping and surveying industry as well as research project from various Asian countries.

Map Asia provides a platform for the Asian geo-informatics community to realise, recognise, and reveal the stages of dissemination of geospatial information. It is an international initiative aimed to allow the convergence, sharing and use of geospatial technologies. Founded in the year 2002, Map Asia is the largest annual international conference and exhibition on geospatial information, technology and applications in the region and offers a unique branding, networking and marketing opportunity to the local and international geospatial industry.

International Symposium and Exhibition on Geoinformation is the premier educational event for professionals involved in geoinformation technologies including GIS, GPS, remote sensing, AM/FM, SCADA, and related geospatial technologies. The conference aims to attract geoinformation researchers to reflect the interdisciplinary breadth of geoinformation.

The Philippines will be represented by Ms. Linda SD Papa from NAMRIA as a plenary speaker, Prof. Donna R. Tabangin (St. Louis University) and Dr. Enrico Paringit (University of the Philippines) in the Discussion Forum on Capacity Building. The Geodetic Engineers of the Philippines are also sending official delegates to the MapAsia 2010 and ISG 2010.

Excepts from MapAsia.org

Open-pit Mining Banned in South Cotabato Province

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:28:01 PDT

Source: ESSC

RELIGIOUS and environment groups hailed outgoing Gov. Daisy Fuentes of South Cotabato for signing into law a local environment code, which banned open-pit mining in the province.

“Up to the last hour of her stay in office, Gov. Fuentes remains true to her promise to protect the environment and uphold the interest of the greater majority,” Fr. Romeo Catedral, chief of the social action center of the Diocese of Marbel based in Koronadal City, some 58 kilometers west of here.

Both the pro-mining and anti-mining groups staged separate protest actions a few weeks back to push for their positions on the issue.

The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) or the provincial council members approved on June 9 the province’s environment code, with nine board members voting in favor of the controversial code, one opposing and two abstaining.

The SP passed the code, considered as landmark legislation and the greatest legacy of the Fuentes administration, despite the protest rally staged by the pro-mining groups outside the SP building.

A week after the passage of the code by the local legislative body, about 3,000 pro-mining protesters picketed the residence of Fuentes to pressure her not to sign into law the environment code.

Xstrata-SMI managing director Peter Forrestal met with Fuentes shortly after the rally to present the company’s position.

Both parties refused to divulge what were discussed during the meeting.

On June 22, Church workers, students, militants and other pro-environment groups staged their own rally in front of the governor’s house to convince her to sign the code.

Fuentes, however, refused to be influenced, even turning down the dialogue arranged by the pro-mining groups between her and Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez, vocal critic of Xstrata-backed Sagittarius Mines Inc. (SMI).

She kept both parties guessing.

Catedral, in a mobile phone interview, said they did not insist when Fuentes refused to meet with the bishop.

“We trust her competence and political will. We don’t want her to feel being pressured. We had no idea what would be her final decision but we admire and we thank her for making the right decision,” Catedral said.

Fuentes called for a press conference Tuesday afternoon to announce her decision to sign into law the environment code.

The governor claimed that as early as Friday last week she had already made up her mind but she did the actual signing only on Tuesday morning.

She claimed she examine closely the position of both camps before finally coming up with such a tough decision.

Fuentes served as congresswoman of the South Cotabato 2nd congressional district and as governor for three consecutive terms. She was elected again as congresswoman of her district last May 10 election.

Catedral said: “This is not just our victory but the victory of all people in the province. This is just the beginning. We will continue the fight against mining.”

Xstrata-SMI announced earlier that it would employ open-pit in extracting copper and gold deposits in the area due to the near-to-the-surface mineral stocks.

The bulk of the mineral deposits are said to lie in Tampakan town.

Oppositors to the mining venture say that despite the presence of Xstrata-SMI in the province and neighboring areas for years, the host communities remain mired in poverty.

Over the years, Sagittarius has sponsored thousands of scholars in the elementary, secondary and college levels in the areas affected by its operation.

John B. Arnaldo, SMI corporate communications manager, said a local law could not supersede a national law, referring to Republic Act No. 7942, or the Philippine Mining Act of 1995, which did not ban open-pit or any other mining method.

The management of Xstrata-SMI is planning to question before the higher court the legality of the local environment code.

But Fuentes, herself a lawyer, said the passage of the environment code was well within the ambit of local autonomy.

In its sustainability report, Xstrata-SMI has claimed that the Tampakan copper-gold project is a world-class 2.4-billion ton resource containing 13.5 million tons of copper and 15.8 million ounces of gold.

The report further states that when developed, it has the potential to generate foreign investment amounting to over US$5 billion, employment opportunities for up to 8,000 to 9,000 people during construction and for around 2,000 during operations.

The project is also expected to contribute significantly to local and national taxes.

The company expects to start the actual mining operation in 2016.

Download Free Philippine Map for Garmin GPS

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 08:44:25 PDT

After digging the net, the GPS map compiled by Maning Sambale from OpenStreetMap stands out by offering, by far, the best free downloadable GPS map of the Philippines. For one, its road network is more extensive plus they are color-coded. It is compatible to most Garmin recievers and GPS-enabled phones running Garmin Mobile XT. The site features the free 'downloadable' Windows Mapsource version of the GPS Map of the Philippines. Apple users need not fret because a Mac Roadtrip version of the Philippine GPS Map is also available for download.

Roadguide.ph also offers a free downloadable GPS map of the Philippines. Two types of maps are available for download; a demo map and a contributor map. It's a community-run site so you need to register in order to download the free GPS map. It's free and the forum members are quite helpful. The demo gps map is available to everyone and would serve of great use especially to those living in the cities. However, the contibutor map is only availble for, well, contributors! They say it's better that the demo map since it is more detailed has way more waypoints and roads.

Recent DENR Administrative Orders Related to Land Survey, Disposition and Management

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:37:17 PDT

Official English Translation of The Inaugural Address of Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 16:24:46 PDT

Below is the full text of the official english translation of the inaugural address of Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III, the new president of the Republic of the Philippines. He was sworn into office at 12 noon yesterday June 30, 2010 replacing Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. For the original Filipino version, click here.

I had a simple goal in life: to be true to my parents and our country as an honorable son, a caring brother, and a good citizen.

My father offered his life so our democracy could live. My mother devoted her life to nurturing that democracy. I will dedicate my life to making our democracy reach its fullest potential: that of ensuring equality for all. My family has sacrificed much and I am willing to do this again if necessary.

Although I was born to famous parents, I know and feel the problems of ordinary citizens. We all know what it is like to have a government that plays deaf and dumb. We know what it is like to be denied justice, to be ignored by those in whom we placed our trust and tasked to become our advocates.

Have you ever been ignored by the very government you helped put in power? I have. Have you had to endure being rudely shoved aside by the siren-blaring escorts of those who love to display their position and power over you? I have, too. Have you experienced exasperation and anger at a government that instead of serving you, needs to be endured by you? So have I.

I am like you. Many of our countrymen have already voted with their feet – migrating to other countries in search of change or tranquility. They have endured hardship, risked their lives because they believe that compared to their current state here, there is more hope for them in another country, no matter how bleak it may be. In moments when I thought of only my own welfare, I also wondered – is it possible that I can find the peace and quiet that I crave in another country? Is our government beyond redemption? Has it been written that the Filipino’s lot is merely to suffer?

Today marks the end of a regime indifferent to the appeals of the people. It is not Noynoy who found a way. You are the reason why the silent suffering of the nation is about to end. This is the beginning of my burden, but if many of us will bear the cross we will lift it, no matter how heavy it is.

Through good governance in the coming years, we will lessen our problems. The destiny of the Filipino will return to its rightful place, and as each year passes, the Filipino’s problems will continue to lessen with the assurance of progress in their lives.

We are here to serve and not to lord over you. The mandate given to me was one of change. I accept your marching orders to transform our government from one that is self-serving to one that works for the welfare of the nation.

This mandate is the social contract that we agreed upon. It is the promise I made during the campaign, which you accepted on election day.

During the campaign we said, “If no one is corrupt, no one will be poor.” That is no mere slogan for posters — it is the defining principle that will serve as the foundation of our administration.

Our foremost duty is to lift the nation from poverty through honest and effective governance.

The first step is to have leaders who are ethical, honest, and true public servants. I will set the example. I will strive to be a good model. I will not break the trust you have placed in me. I will ensure that this, too, will be the advocacy of my Cabinet and those who will join our government.

I do not believe that all of those who serve in our government are corrupt. In truth, the majority of them are honest. They joined government to serve and do good. Starting today, they will have the opportunity to show that they have what it takes. I am counting on them to help fight corruption within the bureaucracy.

To those who have been put in positions by unlawful means, this is my warning: we will begin earning back the trust of our people by reviewing midnight appointments. Let this serve as a warning to those who intend to continue the crooked ways that have become the norm for too long.

To our impoverished countrymen, starting today, your government will be your champion.

We will not disregard the needs of our students. We will begin by addressing the glaring shortage in classrooms and educational facilities.

Gradually, we will lessen the lack of infrastructures for transportation, tourism and trade. From now on, mediocre work will not be good enough when it comes to roads, bridges, and buildings because we will hold contractors responsible for maintaining their projects in good condition.

We will revive the emergency employment program established by former President Corazon Aquino. This will provide jobs for local communities and will help in the development of their and our economy.

We will not be the cause of your suffering or hardship. We will strengthen collections by the Bureau of Internal Revenue and we will fight corruption in the Bureau of Customs in order to fund our objectives for the public welfare, such as:

· Quality education, including vocational education, so that those who choose not to attend college or those who cannot afford it can find dignified livelihood;

· Improved public health services such as PhilHealth for all within three years;

· A home for every family, within safe communities.

We will strengthen the armed forces and the police, not to serve the interests of those who want to wield power with impunity, but to give added protection for ordinary folk. The armed forces and the police risk their lives daily so that the nation can live in peace and security. The population has doubled and yet their numbers remain unchanged. It is not right that those who make sacrifices are treated pitifully.

If there was a fertilizer scam in the past, today there will be security for farmers. We will help them with irrigation, extension services, and marketing their products at the best possible prices.

We are directing Secretary Alcala to set up trading centers that will directly link farmers and consumers thereby eliminating middlemen and opportunities for corruption. In this way, funds can be shared by farmers and consumers. We will make our country attractive to investors. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance to business. This is the only means by which we can provide jobs for our people.

Our goal is to create jobs at home so that there will be no need to look for employment abroad. However, as we work towards that end, I am ordering the DFA, POEA, OWWA, and other relevant agencies to be even more responsive to the needs and welfare of our overseas Filipino workers.

We will strengthen the process of consultation and feedback. We will strive to uphold the constitutional right of citizens to information on matters of public concern.

We relived the spirit of people power during the campaign. Let it take us to good and effective governance. Those who believe in people power put the welfare of others before their own.

I can forgive those who did me wrong but I have no right to forgive those who abused our people.

To those who talk about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. When we allow crimes to go unpunished, we give consent to their occurring over and over again. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

We are also happy to inform you the acceptance of Chief Justice Hilario Davide of the challenge of strengthening and heading a Truth Commission that will shed light on many unanswered issues that continue to haunt our country.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflict, inclusive of the interests of all — may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. With proper governance life will improve for all. When we are all living well, who will want to go back to living under oppression?

If I have all of you by my side, we will be able to build a nation in which there will be equality of opportunity, because each of us fulfilled our duties and responsibilities equally.

After the elections, you proved that it is the people who wield power in this country.

This is what democracy means. It is the foundation of our unity. We campaigned for change. Because of this, the Filipino stands tall once more. We are all part of a nation that can begin to dream again.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Today, I am inviting you to pledge to yourselves and to our people. No one shall be left behind.

No more junkets, no more senseless spending. No more turning back on pledges made during the campaign, whether today or in the coming challenges that will confront us over the next six years. No more influence-peddling, no more patronage politics, no more stealing. No more sirens, no more short cuts, no more bribes. It is time for us to work together once more.

We are here today because we stood together and believed in hope. We had no resources to campaign other than our common faith in the inherent goodness of the Filipino.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. To those among you who are still undecided about sharing the common burden I have only one question: Are you going to quit now that we have won?

You are the boss so I cannot ignore your orders. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to your needs and aspirations.

You are the ones who brought me here – our volunteers – old, young, celebrity, ordinary folks who went around the country to campaign for change; my household help who provided for all my personal needs; my family, friends, colleagues at work, who shared, cared, and gave their support; my lawyers who stayed all hours to guard my votes and make sure they were counted; and the millions of Filipinos who prevailed, kept faith, and never lost hope – I offer my heartfelt gratitude.

I will not be able to face my parents and you who have brought me here if do not fulfill the promises I made.

My parents sought nothing less, died for nothing less, than democracy and peace. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

My hope is that when I leave office, everyone can say that we have traveled far on the right path, and that we are able to bequeath a better future to the next generation. Join me in continuing this fight for change.

Thank you and long live the Filipino people!

The Inaugural Address of Benigno "Noynoy" S. Aquino III in Filipino

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:25:56 PDT

His Excellency Jose Ramos Horta, Former President Fidel V. Ramos, Former President Joseph Estrada, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile and members of the Senate, House Speaker Prospero Nograles and members of the House, justices of the Supreme Court, members of the foreign delegations,Your Excellencies of the diplomatic corps, fellow colleagues in government, aking mga kababayan.

Ang pagtayo ko dito ngayon ay patunay na kayo ang aking tunay na lakas. Hindi ko inakala na darating tayo sa puntong ito, na ako’y manunumpa sa harap ninyo bilang inyong Pangulo. Hindi ko pinangarap maging tagapagtaguyod ng pag-asa at tagapagmana ng mga suliranin ng ating bayan.

Ang layunin ko sa buhay ay simple lang: maging tapat sa aking mga magulang at sa bayan bilang isang marangal na anak, mabait na kuya, at mabuting mamamayan.

Nilabanan ng aking ama ang diktaturya at ibinuwis niya ang kanyang buhay para tubusin ang ating demokrasya. Inalay ng aking ina ang kanyang buhay upang pangalagaan ang demokrasyang ito. Ilalaan ko ang aking buhay para siguraduhin na ang ating demokrasya ay kapaki-pakinabang sa bawat isa. Namuhunan na kami ng dugo at handang gawin itong muli kung kinakailangan.

Tanyag man ang aking mga magulang at ang kanilang mga nagawa, alam ko rin ang problema ng ordinaryong mamamayan. Alam nating lahat ang pakiramdam na magkaroon ng pamahalaang bulag at bingi. Alam natin ang pakiramdam na mapagkaitan ng hustisya, na mabalewala ng mga taong pinagkatiwalaan at inatasan nating maging ating tagapagtanggol.

Kayo ba ay minsan ring nalimutan ng pamahalaang inyong iniluklok sa puwesto? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay nagtiis na sa trapiko para lamang masingitan ng isang naghahari-hariang de-wangwang sa kalsada? Ako rin. Kayo ba ay sawang-sawa na sa pamahalaang sa halip na magsilbi sa taumbayan ay kailangan pa nila itong pagpasensiyahan at tiisin? Ako rin.

Katulad ninyo ako. Marami na sa atin ang bumoto gamit ang kanilang paa – nilisan na nila ang ating bansa sa kanilang paghahanap ng pagbabago at katahimikan. Tiniis nila ang hirap, sinugod ang panganib sa ibang bansa dahil doon may pag-asa kahit kaunti na dito sa atin ay hindi nila nakikita. Sa iilang sandali na sarili ko lang ang aking inaalala, pati ako ay napag-isip din – talaga bang hindi na mababago ang pamamahala natin dito? Hindi kaya nasa ibang bansa ang katahimikang hinahanap ko? Saan ba nakasulat na kailangang puro pagtitiis ang tadhana ng Pilipino?

Ngayon, sa araw na ito – dito magwawakas ang pamumunong manhid sa mga daing ng taumbayan. Hindi si Noynoy ang gumawa ng paraan, kayo ang dahilan kung bakit ngayon, magtatapos na ang pagtitiis ng sambayanan. Ito naman ang umpisa ng kalbaryo ko, ngunit kung marami tayong magpapasan ng krus ay kakayanin natin ito, gaano man kabigat.

Sa tulong ng wastong pamamahala sa mga darating na taon, maiibsan din ang marami nating problema. Ang tadhana ng Pilipino ay babalik sa tamang kalagayan, na sa bawat taon pabawas ng pabawas ang problema ng Pinoy na nagsusumikap at may kasiguruhan sila na magiging tuloy-tuloy na ang pagbuti ng kanilang sitwasyon.

Kami ay narito para magsilbi at hindi para maghari. Ang mandato ninyo sa amin ay pagbabago – isang malinaw na utos para ayusin ang gobyerno at lipunan mula sa pamahalaang iilan lamang ang nakikinabang tungo sa isang pamahalaang kabutihan ng mamamayan ang pinangangalagaan.

Ang mandatong ito ay isa kung saan kayo at ang inyong pangulo ay nagkasundo para sa pagbabago – isang paninindigan na ipinangako ko noong kampanya at tinanggap ninyo noong araw ng halalan.
Sigaw natin noong kampanya: “Kung walang corrupt, walang mahirap.” Hindi lamang ito pang slogan o pang poster – ito ang mga prinsipyong tinatayuan at nagsisilbing batayan ng ating administrasyon.

Ang ating pangunahing tungkulin ay ang magsikap na maiangat ang bansa mula sa kahirapan, sa pamamagitan ng pagpapairal ng katapatan at mabuting pamamalakad sa pamahalaan.

Ang unang hakbang ay ang pagkakaroon ng tuwid at tapat na hanay ng mga pinuno. Magsisimula ito sa akin. Sisikapin kong maging isang mabuting ehemplo. Hinding hindi ko sasayangin ang tiwalang ipinagkaloob ninyo sa akin. Sisiguraduhin ko na ganito rin ang adhikain ng aking Gabinete at ng mga magiging kasama sa ating pamahalaan.

Naniniwala akong hindi lahat ng nagsisilbi sa gobyerno ay corrupt. Sa katunayan, mas marami sa kanila ay tapat. Pinili nilang maglingkod sa gobyerno upang gumawa ng kabutihan. Ngayon, magkakaroon na sila ng pagkakataong magpakitang-gilas. Inaasahan natin sila sa pagsupil ng korapsyon sa loob mismo ng burukrasya.

Sa mga itinalaga sa paraang labag sa batas, ito ang aking babala: sisimulan natin ang pagbabalik ng tiwala sa pamamagitan ng pag-usisa sa mga “midnight appointments.” Sana ay magsilbi itong babala sa mga nag-iisip na ipagpatuloy ang baluktot na kalakarang nakasanayan na ng marami.

Sa mga kapuspalad nating mga kababayan, ngayon, ang pamahalaan ang inyong kampeon.

Hindi natin ipagpapaliban ang mga pangangailangan ng ating mga estudyante, kaya’t sisikapin nating punan ang kakulangan sa ating mga silid-aralan.

Unti-unti din nating babawasan ang mga kakulangan sa imprastraktura para sa transportasyon, turismo at pangangalakal. Mula ngayon, hindi na puwede ang “puwede na” pagdating sa mga kalye, tulay at gusali dahil magiging responsibilidad ng mga kontratista ang panatilihing nasa mabuting kalagayan ang mga proyekto nila.

Bubuhayin natin ang programang “emergency employment” ng dating pangulong Corazon Aquino sa pagtatayo ng mga bagong imprastraktura na ito. Ito ay magbibigay ng trabaho sa mga local na komunidad at makakatulong sa pagpapalago ng kanila at ng ating ekonomiya.

Hindi kami magiging sanhi ng inyong pasakit at perwisyo. Palalakasin natin ang koleksyon at pupuksain natin ang korapsyon sa Kawanihan ng Rentas Internas at Bureau of Customs para mapondohan natin ang ating mga hinahangad para sa lahat, tulad ng:

· dekalidad na edukasyon, kabilang ang edukasyong bokasyonal para makapaghanap ng marangal na trabaho ang hindi makapag-kolehiyo;

· serbisyong pangkalusugan, tulad ng Philhealth para sa lahat sa loob ng tatlong taon;

· tirahan sa loob ng mga ligtas na komunidad.

Palalakasin at palalaguin natin ang bilang ng ating kasundaluhan at kapulisan, hindi para tugunan ang interes ng mga naghahari-harian, ngunit para proteksyunan ang mamamayan. Itinataya nila ang kanilang buhay para mayroong pagkakataon sa katahimikan at kapayapaan sa sambayanan. Dumoble na ang populasyong kanilang binabantayan, nanatili naman sila sa bilang. Hindi tama na ang nagmamalasakit ay kinakawawa.

Kung dati ay may fertilizer scam, ngayon ay may kalinga na tunay para sa mga magsasaka. Tutulungan natin sila sa irigasyon, extension services, at sa pagbenta ng kanilang produkto sa pinakamataas na presyong maaari.

Inaatasan natin si papasok na Kalihim Alcala na magtayo ng mga trading centers kung saan diretso na ang magsasaka sa mamimili – lalaktawan natin ang gitna, kasama na ang kotong cop. Sa ganitong paraan, ang dating napupunta sa gitna ay maari nang paghatian ng magsasaka at mamimili.

Gagawin nating kaaya-aya sa negosyante ang ating bansa. We will cut red tape dramatically and implement stable economic policies. We will level the playing field for investors and make government an enabler, not a hindrance, to business. Sa ganitong paraan lamang natin mapupunan ang kakulangan ng trabaho para sa ating mga mamamayan.

Layunin nating paramihin ang trabaho dito sa ating bansa upang hindi na kailanganin ang mangibang-bansa para makahanap ng trabaho. Ngunit habang ito ay hindi pa natin naaabot, inaatasan ko ang mga kawani ng DFA, POEA, OWWA at iba pang mga kinauukulang ahensiya na mas lalo pang paigtingin ang pagtugon sa mga hinaing at pangangailangan ng ating mga overseas Filipino workers.

Papaigtingin namin ang proseso ng konsultasyon at pag-uulat sa taumbayan. Sisikapin naming isakatuparan ang nakasaad sa ating Konstitusyon na kinikilala ang karapatan ng mamamayan na magkaroon ng kaalaman ukol sa mga pampublikong alintana.

Binuhay natin ang diwa ng people power noong kampanya. Ipagpatuloy natin ito tungo sa tuwid at tapat na pamamahala. Ang naniniwala sa people power ay nakatuon sa kapwa at hindi sa sarili.

Sa mga nang-api sa akin, kaya ko kayong patawarin, at pinapatawad ko na kayo. Sa mga nang-api sa sambayanan, wala akong karapatan na limutin ang inyong mga kasalanan.

To those who are talking about reconciliation, if they mean that they would like us to simply forget about the wrongs that they have committed in the past, we have this to say: there can be no reconciliation without justice. Sa paglimot ng pagkakasala, sinisigurado mong mauulit muli ang mga pagkakasalang ito. Secretary de Lima, you have your marching orders. Begin the process of providing true and complete justice for all.

Ikinagagalak din naming ibahagi sa inyo ang pagtanggap ni dating Chief Justice Hilario Davide sa hamon ng pagtatatag at pamumuno sa isang Truth Commission na magbibigay linaw sa maraming kahinahinalang isyu na hanggang ngayon ay walang kasagutan at resolusyon.

Ang sinumang nagkamali ay kailangang humarap sa hustisya. Hindi maaaring patuloy ang kalakaran ng walang pananagutan at tuloy na pang-aapi.

My government will be sincere in dealing with all the peoples of Mindanao. We are committed to a peaceful and just settlement of conflicts, inclusive of the interests of all – may they be Lumads, Bangsamoro or Christian.

We shalI defeat the enemy by wielding the tools of justice, social reform, and equitable governance leading to a better life. Sa tamang pamamahala gaganda ang buhay ng lahat, at sa buhay na maganda, sino pa ang gugustuhing bumalik sa panahon ng pang-aapi?

Kung kasama ko kayo, maitataguyod natin ang isang bayan kung saan pantay-pantay ang pagkakataon, dahil pantay-pantay nating ginagampanan ang ating mga pananagutan.

Kamakailan lamang, ang bawat isa sa atin ay nanindigan sa presinto. Bumoto tayo ayon sa ating karapatan at konsensiya. Hindi tayo umatras sa tungkulin nating ipaglaban ang karapatang ito.

Pagkatapos ng bilangan, pinatunayan ninyo na ang tao ang tunay na lakas ng bayan.

Ito ang kahalagahan ng ating demokrasya. Ito ang pundasyon ng ating pagkakaisa. Nangampanya tayo para sa pagbabago. Dahil dito taas-noo muli ang Pilipino. Tayong lahat ay kabilang sa isang bansa kung saan maaari nang mangarap muli.

To our friends and neighbors around the world, we are ready to take our place as a reliable member of the community of nations, a nation serious about its commitments and which harmonizes its national interests with its international responsibilities.

We will be a predictable and consistent place for investment, a nation where everyone will say, “it all works.”

Inaanyayahan ko kayo ngayon na manumpa sa ating mga sarili, sa sambayanan, WALANG MAIIWAN.

Walang pangingibang-bayan at gastusan na walang wastong dahilan. Walang pagtatalikod sa mga salitang binitawan noong kampanya, ngayon at hanggang sa mga susunod pang pagsubok na pagdadaanan sa loob ng anim na taon.

Walang lamangan, walang padrino at walang pagnanakaw. Walang wang-wang, walang counterflow, walang tong. Panahon na upang tayo ay muling magkawang-gawa.

Nandito tayo ngayon dahil sama-sama tayong nanindigan at nagtiwala na may pag-asa.

The people who are behind us dared to dream. Today, the dream starts to become a reality. Sa inyong mga nag-iisip pa kung tutulong kayo sa pagpasan ng ating krus, isa lang ang aking tanong – kung kailan tayo nanalo, saka pa ba kayo susuko?

Kayo ang boss ko, kaya’t hindi maaaring hindi ako makinig sa mga utos ninyo. We will design and implement an interaction and feedback mechanism that can effectively respond to the people’s needs and aspirations.

Kayo ang nagdala sa akin sa puntong ito – ang ating mga volunteers – matanda, bata, celebrity, ordinaryong tao, na umikot sa Pilipinas para ikampanya ang pagbabago; ang aking mga kasambahay, na nag-asikaso ng lahat ng aking mga personal na pangangailangan; ang aking pamilya, kaibigan at katrabaho, na dumamay, nag-alaga at nagbigay ng suporta sa akin; ang ating mga abogado, na nagpuyat para bantayan ang ating mga boto at siguraduhing mabibilang ang bawat isa; ang aking mga kapartido at kaalyado na kasama kong nangahas mangarap; at ang milyun-milyong Pilipinong nagkaisa, nagtiwala at hindi nawalan ng pag-asa – nasa inyo ang aking taus-pusong pasasalamat.

Hindi ko makakayang harapin ang aking mga magulang, at kayong mga nagdala sa akin sa yugto ng buhay kong ito, kung hindi ko maisasakatuparan ang aking mga binitawang salita sa araw na ito.

My parents sought nothing less and died for nothing less than democracy, peace and prosperity. I am blessed by this legacy. I shall carry the torch forward.

Layunin ko na sa pagbaba ko sa katungkulan, masasabi ng lahat na malayo na ang narating natin sa pagtahak ng tuwid na landas at mas maganda na ang kinabukasang ipapamana natin sa susunod na henerasyon. Samahan ninyo ako sa pagtatapos ng laban na ito. Tayo na sa tuwid na landas.

Maraming salamat po at mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!

UP DGE starts offering MS Geomatics Engineering

noreply@blogger.com (Sorbs) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:14:26 PDT

Source: UP DGE

The Department of Geodetic Engineering started offering the MS in Geomatics Engineering program this 1st Sem, AY 2010-2011. In order to focus the students’ interest and effort in doing their graduate research thesis, the MS GmE program has three (3) fields of specialization. These specializations are

Remote Sensing and Photogrammetry,
Applied Geodesy and Land Information Management and
Geoinformatics.

There were 13 pioneering students in the program. Five students will receive scholarships from the ERDT.

The MS Remote Sensing Program was first offered in 1994 with during the Philippine Remote Sensing Project supported by the Australian International Development Assistance Bureau (AIDAB)now known as AusAID. Through the years, it has produced over 30 graduates, most of who have assumed important positions in the government and in the private sector in the field of mapping and surveying and resource information.

To know more about the program, please click on this link http://www.dge.upd.edu.ph/drupal/?q=node/111

Geomatics is the modern term referring to the science, engineering, and art involved in collecting and managing geographically referenced information. It integrates all the means used to acquire and manage spatial data as part of scientific, administrative, legal and technical operations involved in the process of production and management of Earth-based data. It includes disciplines such as: Surveying, Geodesy, Remote Sensing, Photogrammetry, Cartography, Geographic Information Systems, and Global Positioning Systems. (Definition from the Canadian Institute of Geomatics Journal, Geomatica).

Traditionally, Geodetic Engineering focuses on the determination, recording and setting out of boundaries, as Geodesy is based on registration and surveying of precise positions of points on vast areas of the earth. These are carefully done through measurements based on the earth’s gravity field.

Recent developments in the domain of satellite techniques have greatly increased the possibilities of earth-oriented space research and measurements. The introduction of global navigation satellite systems (GNSSS) brought new methods for the determination of reference points aside from direct field measurements. Geomatics Engineering is an encompassing term that deals with the theoretical and technical principles that need to be understood in the expert application of the sciences and technologies involved in acquiring, processing, integrating, and portraying geographically referenced information.