The Regional Geographic Information Network (RGIN) finally approved the Updated RGIN Operations Manual for adoption of the Regional Development Council 02 during its 15th Regular Business Meeting on March 5, 2014 at the NEDA 2-RDC 2 Building, Regional Government Center, Tuguegarao City.

The Operations Manual shall serve as the framework and guide for the organizational, operational and procedural policies of the network. According to the manual, RGIN will continue to “further the RDC 2’s commitment to enhance and facilitate the planning and programming tasks with its regional development partners and further the elevation of awareness and utilization of GIS in all development endeavors in the region.” Generally, the RGIN focuses on the generation, updating, validation, maintenance and management of its spatial data holdings.

During the meeting, the members reiterated their clamour for a stronger collaboration among the network members as well as the local government units and the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). Mr. Artemio A. Antolin of Environment and Development Alternative Solutions Incorporated (EDASI) said that the immediate access of spatial data is very important since it is being used in planning, disaster programs, among others.

Mr. Leomar C. Israel, NEDA 2 GIS expert and RGIN Core Secretariat, said that the RGIN is still trying to build a firm connection from the regional to municipal levels. He expressed his high hopes that an ‘established’ Provincial GIS Center will be realized soon in the 5 Provinces of the region, emphasizing the significance of spatial data in decision-makings and public service delivery in all sectors.

The RDC 2 will convene on March 20, 2014 to deliberate on the final approved and adoption of the updated RGIN Operations Manual.