Rather, it is the state-of-the-art Geographic Information System (GIS) used by the Regional Environmental Information System (REIS) to assemble, store, manipulate and display geographically referenced information. The spatial information is needed to advise local government units (LGUs), non-government organizations, people’s organizations (POs), academic institutions and other agencies in the planning and management of resources.

Environmental information system

REIS provides precise data and information, allowing for complex analyses to be performed which enhance planning and decision making processes in the Eastern Visayas region, considered one of the poorest in terms of development.

In 1999, UPV Tacloban College founded REIS to develop an environmental information system in Eastern Visayas. It first consisted of a database on coastal resources and then expanded to include any data needed for sustainable development in the region.

REIS produces primary and secondary data of forest, coastal and built-up areas in the region, land- use / cover topographic maps and analyises satellite images.

Apart from advising other organizations, REIS also offers hands-on training on Global Positioning System (GPS) and ArcView GIS, seminars and training on GIS, map production, mapping services and data visualization.

As the clearinghouse of GIS expertise and capability in Region 8, REIS educates and trains local partners through these GIS seminars and is developing a course module for students.

The project is technically and financially supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the German Development Service or DED to promote this valuable tool for the users in the region and help generate profits to sustain its operations.

Engagements

The Region 8 GIS Network is closely linked with REIS.  Prof. Margarita de la Cruz, coordinator of REIS said that without REIS there would be no GIS network in the Eastern Visayas today as it was this project that catalyzed its formation. The Region 8 GIS Network’s engagements include data collection standards, information exchange, GIS trainings and network sustainability.

REIS GIS consultant Juergen Christmann from the German Development Service or DED said that the network is continuing its base map production.  The lack of a regional base map identifying resource sites has been a longstanding constraint for planners. The network thus forged a partnership with the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) to convert analog topographic maps of the region into digitized layered maps.

According to Christmann, REIS is also stepping up its effort to produce the Region 8 Metadatabase, or “data about data” project containing an inventory of available spatial data in the region, ranging from hard copies of maps to vital socio-economic profiles.

Aside from enhancing data availability and accessibility for regional users, the project is the initial step towards creating a web-based geospatial metadatabase.

Environmental issues and concerns

Meanwhile, REIS has intensified its activities in raising awareness about environmental issues and concerns through environmental education programs.

REIS has been helping government, non-government organizations, local government units, and even the local communities to produce geologic hazard maps and information in order to mitigate effects of calamities and disasters through proper land use planning. It has also prepared maps for geo-hazard awareness campaigns and community awareness.

As natural disasters can occur anytime and anywhere it is important to use proper hazard mapping which could limit the loss of lives and the destruction they cause said GIS consultant Juergen Christmann.

The February 2006 landslide in Brgy. Ginsaugon in St. Bernard town in Southern Leyte province that claimed more than a thousand lives is one classic example of natural disasters that could be mitigated with GIS information and resource management trainings conducted by REIS. 

REIS has also been in close coordination with the local government units in identifying high-risk areas for floods and landslides providing strategic information for such natural occurrences all over the region.

Already, REIS has conducted several natural resource management trainings in various towns and is gearing towards conducting more trainings in high-risk areas such as St. Bernard in Southern Leyte.

The eerie feeling of a whole village or any place entombed in the aftermath of a landslide or flooding never fails to raise hairs off the skin and the helpless thoughts of the lives lost buried deep in the mud six feet under and more.

In many ways, accessibility and availability of geographically referenced information can help lessen people’s panic about natural disasters while on the other hand it will sustainably help the government and organizations to ascertain and implement resource management and development.

REIS’ devices may just look like ordinary gadgets but the information they produce is far more immense than can be imagined. They can save lives!