Valenzuela, A. G., Jr. (2019). Promoting safety in navigation through hydrographic survey standardization (Unpublished master's thesis). Public Management Development Program, Development Academy of the Philippines.

Public Management Development Program Middle Managers' Class Batch 17 Capstone Paper Thesis (MMC)--Development Academy of the Philippines

National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) was created in 1987 under Executive Order No. 192. It acts as the central mapping agency, depository, and distribution facility for natural resources data in the form of maps, nautical charts, texts, and statistics and consists of five branches. One of NAMRIA's branches, Hydrography Branch (HB), acquires and evaluates hydrographic and oceanographic data used for producing nautical charts, tide and current predictions, and maritime publications. One constant issue encountered in HB, under Survey Support Division (SSD), is the availability of resources for data acquisition. Since seaworthiness of NAMRIA's four survey platforms remains in question due to frequent breakdown of its machineries and equipment, one way to gather survey data is through outsourcing or crowdsourcing from Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) and other offices. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with PPA, signed on 26 March 2015, specifies that 'the PPA shall provide hydrographic data when they conduct surveys with third party surveyors.' However, PPA has different methods and criteria that are incompatible with those of NAMRIA-HB, and are, therefore, not used for nautical charts updating. It is the responsibility of NAMRIA to ensure that all hydrographic survey practices within the country shall conform to the agency's standards for nautical charting purposes. As stated under Section 22 of Executive Order No. 192, NAMRIA shall "establish and implement technical standards and quality specifications on map production and its reproduction." Hence, NAMRIA Standards for Hydrographic Surveys (NSHS) was drafted to specify the technical specifications and requirements in the conduct of hydrographic surveys by the agency and other agencies or private companies. The NSHS manuscript was en route on 07 January 2019 for the Administrator's approval. Meetings with PPA will be initiated for amendment of the existing MOA, notably Section 2, where guidelines for conducting hydrographic surveys shall be referred to NSHS. The conduct of relevant trainings and lectures shall also be added to the responsibilities of NAMRIA. Lectures are part of NAMRIA's awareness program and are free of charge. Trainings may be free of charge subject to the agreement of both parties. However, schedules may depend on NAMRIA's program and availability of training personnel, which may be settled during meetings. Geographic Information System training maybe given, although a Category C Hydrographic Survey training program is more appropriate. NAMRIA shall make the move for the issuance of Department Order for other offices and agencies handling hydrographic survey projects to comply and adhere with NSHS. Should other offices such as PPA and private surveyors be well informed of NSHS and comply with the agreement, acceptable outsourced data are expected to increase, thus increasing too production of nautical charts.