Hon. Jo Myung-hee, PhD, a member of the Science, Information and Communications Technology, Broadcasting, and Communications Committee of the Republic of Korea’s 21st National Assembly, visited the NAMRIA Fort Bonifacio Office, Taguig City on 13 July 2022. She was accompanied by her chief advisor, Mr. Chae Young Kwon; personnel from Geo Consulting & Information Co., Ltd. including the Korean agency’s Management and Technology Marketing Department Executive Director, Mr. Gu Bon Yup; and personnel from the Philippine Space Agency (PhilSA) and the National Water Resources Board (NWRB). Assembly Member Jo wanted to learn about NAMRIA’s capabilities in mapping, surveying, and remote sensing. The visit was made possible through the support of the NAMRIA management led by Administrator, Usec. Peter N. Tiangco, PhD.

 

The visitors were first shown an audio-visual presentation of the agency’s profile, focusing on its core functions. Then they were presented with overviews on NAMRIA’s Philippine Active Geodetic Network (PAGeNet), and remote sensing and land cover mapping projects and accomplishments. Geophysicist IV, Engr. Charisma Victoria D. Cayapan of the Mapping and Geodesy Branch-Geodesy Division discussed the dynamics of PAGeNet, including updates on the modernization of the Philippine Geodetic Reference System. For. Sylvia L. Esperanza, Chief of the Resource Data Analysis Branch-Land Resource Data Analysis Division, presented NAMRIA’s ongoing and accomplished projects in relation to remote sensing and land cover mapping. In turn, Assembly Member Jo shared information on the latest space technologies being utilized by her country in relation to mapping and remote sensing.

 

An open forum was held after the presentations. Forester Esperanza, Engineer Cayapan, and Engr. Rosalyn D. Sontillanosa of the Geospatial Information System Management Branch-Geospatial Database Management Division answered the queries of the visitors. Then the visitors were given a tour of the NAMRIA Gallery of Excellence, and they were greatly interested in one of the items on display: the official replica of the Carta Hydrographica y Chorographica de las Islas Filipinas, more commonly known as the Murillo Velarde 1734 Map. The NAMRIA Centennial calendars were given as a token of appreciation.

 

At the end of their visit, Assembly Member Jo thanked NAMRIA. She said in closing, “I had visited your country many times in the last 14 years and I will definitely come back again. I love the Philippines!” She acknowledged the help given by the Philippines during the Korean War.