Among the significant areas needed in the formulation of the Bangsamoro Development Plan (BDP) is the geographical information of the Bangsamoro Core Territories and its adjacent regions. This is being realized now by the BDP project through the support on Geographical Information System (GIS) for the mapping of the said territories.

This support is made possible by the Japan International Cooperative Agency (JICA) through the SRDP Consulting, Inc. as its partner consultant on GIS services.

GIS is described as a computer system designed to capture, store, manipulate, analyze, manage, and present all types of geographical data.

Through this support, relevant geographical data on Bangsamoro Core Territories and its adjacent regions will be collected. This includes data on the features of the lands, profile of a place, total population, households, existing development projects, among others. The SRDP Consulting, Inc . provided capacity building on GIS to BDA staff andtechnical support on generating relevant data and information from concerned government agencies that will be used in the mapping for the Bangsamoro.

Training on GIS

A training on GIS was conducted for BDA staff on May 8-12, 2014 at Cotabato City. This is part of the support being extended by JICA which is significant in the capacity building objectives of BDA.

Eight (8) staff of BDA participated in the said training. They are Ismael Suwaib, Macmodin Ali, Mansur Panalangin, Fairodz Pangunutan, Rahima Hassan, Jodsbarie Compania, Amiruddin Gani, Aliuddin Haron, Antara Alfonso, and Monyesa Husain.

During the training, participants learned the basics of GIS. This includes orientation on what GIS is and what are its importance and uses. This was followed by an actual training where participants were introduced of the GIS software called Quantum GIS (QGIS).

Using the software, they learned the tools used in mapping and in collecting geographical data.

It is expected that knowledge and skills acquired from the training will be relevant for BDA in developing a concrete map of the areas where its programs and projects are being implemented.

The GIS training will be cascaded down to the Regional Management Offices of BDA thereafter.

Logistical support for GIS

Part of the support of JICA through the SRDP Consulting, Inc. on GIS for the BDP project is the provision of one-unit desktop intended for the database of GIS for BDA. It was turned-over to BDA on May 8, 2014. Present during the turn-over ceremony were Engr. Joel F. Cruz, President of SDRP Consulting, Inc., Dr. Yutaka Kokufu, General Manger of Pacific Consultants Co., Ltd, Engr. Windel Diangcalan, Program Division Head of BDA and BDP Core Planning Team Leader with Mr. Ismael Swaib, BDA Focal on GIS.