ADZU Phil-LiDAR 1 researchers trained 23 intelligence officers of the Philippine National Police IX on geographic information system (GIS) on March 16-20, 2015 at Ateneo de Zamboanga University.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are systems designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage and present all types of spatial or geographical data to create various kinds of maps.
The ADZU Phil LiDAR 1 is part of a nationwide project of the University of the Philippines and the Department of Science and Technology to create flood maps and models. It is an expansion of the internationally awarded Disaster Risk and Exposure Assessment for Mitigation (DREAM) Program.
ADZU Phil LiDAR Project Leader Mario Rodriguez said that the training of intelligence officers was done as an outreach activity and as a way to promote use of geographic information systems.
In 2014, ADZU Phil LiDAR trained local police officers on GIS. The skill and knowledge was used by the police officers in their work to create crime maps of the city. For the intelligence officers, the technology is hoped to help them with their intelligence work.
The participants of the training came from all over the region.
At the closing ceremony for the workshop, Police Chief Inspector Bonifacio Arañas said he is very grateful to ADZU LiDAR for the training. He said that the knowledge and skills learned will help the PNP with their intelligence gathering. Col Arañas came on behalf of Police Senior Superintendent Chiquito Malayo, head of the Regional Intelligence Division of the Philippine National Police.
ADZU Phil-LiDAR 1 research associates were the workshop lecturers and facilitators. Leonor Ycaza discussed Exploring Google Earth and Mobile GPS Applications; Rowald Baluyot talked on Adding Vector, Raster Layers and Attribute Table; Georefencing a Raster Data Set was conducted by Aileen Kay Deles; Digitizing was discussed by RA Raymond Ong; Geoprocessing Tools was given by Kevin Nacalaban; while Bob Ocquias discussed Basic Layout and Carthography.
Phil-LiDAR Chief Senior Research Specialist Emir Epino conducted the initial orientation for Global Positioning System (GPS). He also facilitated the fieldwork activities for the participants which was done within the ADZU Salvador Campus.
At the end of the workshop, the participants presented their outputs individually. The trainers chose the three best works. They were given special certificates as Best Cartographers during the closing ceremony.
At the ceremony, Rodriguez encouraged the participants to apply what they learned and that if they have further concerns, he said ADZU Lidar is willing to help.
