GIS/RS: Powerful Technology for BSU
by Precila G. Salcedo

      The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) laboratory of the BSU is under the Vice President for Planning and Development headed by Dr. Darlyn D. Tagarino. GIS use computer technology, mapping methods and geography to blend spatial data from main sources. GIS is an indispensable system that combines hardware, software and manpower that will facilitate execution of activities in management, research, development, planning, decision-making and ecosystem monitoring related to resources management challenges of the University. It is not only the solution to all the mapping needs but can facilitate researches output in any field of expertise. It is also academically indispensable especially in the field of Agriculture, Forestry, Engineering, Commerce, Defense, Social Sciences, Environmental Science and other fields.

    GIS are use for storing, organizing, analyzing, processing and presenting digital, spatial and descriptive information which is stored in numerical form. Spatial information uses a system of geographic coordinates as its reference base. It is indispensable and very functional due to its capability to perform complex analyses efficiently and rapidly. This system is flexible which allows rapid production of maps which exactly meets the needs of the end-user in research, development, management, planning and decision-making. Remote sensing on the other hand is collecting and interpreting information about a target without being in physical contact with the object. This technology makes use of satellites and aircraft in acquiring dataset that can be processed and interpreted by the end-user who has technical skills on this field.

     BSU-GIS was spearheaded by Dr. Colting during his involvement in the LARIS Project on 1999 when he was the VPRE. BSU-GIS was an offshoot of the LARIS, which was a tripartite agreement with the Provincial Capitol and BSWM. After the culmination of the project, he pursued the endeavor and sourced funds from PIUC with the help of Dr. Tagarino. Five computer units, one unit of GPS Garmin V and a plotter were given to the BSU by VLIR-PIUC Project. BSU-GIS core group was organized formally on July 2003 with a coordinator (For. Precila G. Salcedo), 1 full-time faculty member from BSU (Mrs. Emilia Dayap) and 1 full-time research assistant from PIUC (Mr. Dennis Manengyao).

     Last year, the University allotted funds for the GIS activities of the University. The amount was utilized in capability building, procurement of equipment/supplies and conduct of fieldworks for land-use mapping and other related GIS activities. Towards the end of 2004, the RS technology was incorporated in the GIS laboratory. PIUC enhanced the GIS Lab by generously funding the purchase of the highest resolution satellite image available in the world market and one of the most powerful professional high-end GIS/RS software packages. The remote sensed or satellite image of BSU has 2 datasets: a multi-spectral image with 2.4 meters resolution and a panchromatic image with 0.6 meter resolution. On the other hand the software package has combined capability of cartography, GIS, remote sensing and photogrammetry. This was the jump-start of the RS technology in the University. The BSU satellite image facilitated the land-use mapping activities of the University. With this imagery, the University would be able to map the BSU properties accurately and make a better decision in its utilization and management. Georeferencing and ground truthing of BSU lots were also started with the use of a Geographic Positioning System (GPS) receiver together with Dr. Colting, Dr. Bawang, Dr. Tipayno, Dr. Alupias, Engr. De los Santos, For. Ngiwas, For. Manengyao and For. Salcedo.

    GIS course is also being offered at the College of Forestry and College of Arts and Sciences. Every semester the lab is servicing approximately 75 students every semester. At the same time, it is also implementing projects of the PIUC (BSU-SLU Joint Project) and catering to the printing and mapping needs of other offices. The GIS group also conducted several training for BSU and other agencies. The University is also one of the members of the CAR-GIS Network. It is envisioned that the optimum utilization of these indispensable powerful tools and state of the art equipment will be a pillar for the development of the University not only in planning and management but in research and instruction activities of the BSU in the near future.