ACLC College Gensan

DAVAO CITY, July 28 (PNA) -- Mindanao’s economy and its disaster and risk management programs are expected to get a big boost with the launching Tuesday of the P500-million Mindanao Topographic Map at Marco Polo Davao Hotel here.

“This is a one billion Yen grant project from the Japanese government which will address the need to identify the risk and disaster-prone areas in the island,” Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) chairman Jesus Dureza said.

The creation of the digital topographic map for Mindanao is the product of a partnership among MinDA, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the National Mapping Resource Information Agency (NAMRIA).

The two-year project was presented by Dureza and the other agencies involved to Mindanao stakeholders.

Dureza said the present Mindanao map is almost 60 years old as it was created in 1952.

“Because of its antiquity, there are already several areas still existing in the old map which can no longer be found in the actual topography of the island like perhaps certain rivers that have changed their course. The map will project to the last detail the names of the barangays and this will be very helpful to both the government and the private sector,” he said.

Dureza said NAMRIA conceptualized the project in June last year to update the region’s topographical map.

It will also include the areas of Tawi-Tawi, Sulu and Basilan.

Dureza said the 1950s map was the sole reference of the government and the private sector when planning and implementing their programs.

However, he said, it might not be as accurate anymore.

“The new topographic map will be very accurate at a scale of 1 is to 50,000. With this map, he added, you can now look at every corner of Mindanao and identify every area which is really very good for strategic planning,” he said.

Dureza said topographic map will make use of new mapping technologies and will be implemented using digital vector data for Graphic Information System technology applications.

“This map can be used not only by government but also by investors and it will be important in our peace and development programs,” he said.

While the Google Map already allows users to look at the topography of a certain area, it does not however identify the name of a specific area.

This map is really complete in the sense that there will be specific names and information for specific areas, he added.

With the appropriate software, the map can be played in the ordinary computer.

However, he said, there will be protocols later on as to how it will be made available. (PNA)
LDV/LACarillo/lvp

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