NAMRIA NEWSCOOP


MGB conducts GNSS observation of core and buffer zones of Puerto Galera Biosphere Reserve
By: Erlito Saberola

NAMRIA survey teams from the Mapping and Geodesy Branch (MGB) accompanied by their director, Director Ruel DM. Belen, conducted Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) observations to delineate the boundaries of core and buffer zones of the Puerto Galera Biosphere Reserve (PGBR) in Oriental Mindoro on 12-16 December 2016.
 
 
 
(photo from above) GNSS observations in Barangays Tabinay (top) and Poblacion (middle) in Puerto Galera and
NAMRIA survey team validates the coastal zones of Puerto Galera Biosphere Reserve (bottom) 
 
The Buffer and Core Zone Delineation and Cartographic Information of PGBR is in accordance with the Statutory Framework of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme.  The project is a collaboration between NAMRIA and the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines (UNACOM).  The UNACOM monitors our country’s compliance to local and international commitments, particularly with UNESCO.  To date, there are 669 biosphere reserves (BRs) in 120 countries including three from our country, namely: Puerto Galera which was designated in year 1977, Palawan in 1990, and Albay in 2016.
 
Engineer Rivera presents the orthoimage map of Puerto Galera to the local government officials of Puerto Galera
 
The survey teams used GNSS to determine the coordinates of the selected core zones of the three watershed areas in Barangays (Brgys.) Tabinay and Baclayan, and Sitio Dimayuga, Brgy. Aninuan. The two reference monuments, MR118 and MRE25, in Brgys. Poblacion and Villaflor, Puerto Galera were utilized in the survey.  This survey located the center of the terrestrial core zones of the BR on the ground.  Another survey team used the Rugged Tablet Computer and GGO3 Smart Antenna to validate the position of the marine core and buffer zones.  The data gathered from the surveys will serve as inputs in the production of cartographic maps and orthoimage maps of the PGBR.
 
Exit conference between NAMRIA and local government officials
 
Engr. Denicia B. Rivera led the survey teams which had the following as members: Engrs. Leo B. Grafil, Gliceria Y. Yarre, Maricel P. De Luna, Ferdinand C. Ratum, Donnie T. Mancera, Lolita G. Panaga, and Ferdinand F. Fernandez; Ramina DC. Belen, Marieta M. Perez de Tagle, Joselito J. Eugenio, SN2 Floren C. Madrilejo, SN3 Dexter R. Alamar, Maria Jasmin M. Peralta, Mary-Ann A. Magsumbol, Erwin L. Orpilla, Rey S. Matabuena, Jesus L. Alcala Jr., Virgilio B. Almuete, Renaldo M. Caballeda, Charon T. Lallaban, Niño L. Clerigo, Jay D. Cepe, Armando G. Adeva, Joana Marie T. Panes, Vanessa T. Alcala, and Joel D. Panes Jr.
 
NAMRIA survey teams
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
 


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