The LLDA-GeoDesk - Integrated Data, Better Policies

The use of spatial data is evident within the Laguna Lake Development Authority due to its spatial mandate. Effective and qualitative maintenance of different types of data helps LLDA in effective, efficient and consistent policy making.

Two years ago, LLDA's Integrated Water Resources Management Division (IWRM) developed a Geographical Information System (GIS) module in connection with the Netherlands-funded Sustainable Development of Laguna de Bay Environment (SDLBE) project. The Geo-information database functioned as the central library of all digital, spatial and attributed data utilized in the Project. During the first few months of the project, digital maps and other information on the Laguna de Bay watershed were acquired and located into the System. Tools and program utilities were also developed for analysis of spatial data.

The primary goal of the SDLBE project management was to make the System and its Geo-Information Database accessible LLDA-Wide. Driven by the goal to provide a central desk where all available spatial data can be accessed, and guided by the vision to be the central reference point for up-to-date developments within the LLDA's jurisdiction, the LLDA-GeoDesk was established.

As a preliminary step towards promoting awareness within the LLDA with regards to all spatial data already available, a meta-database was created. The LLDA Geo-Metadatabase contains information describing every single spatial data (or digital map), including its content, quality, condition of use, and other characteristics. Its structure was adopted from the widely used structure for describing spatial data of the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC) of the United States of America (FGDC, 1998). With this, LLDA can easily connect to other metadabases in the Philippines like (i.o. Philgeo) and the world (i.e. Global Spatial Data Infrastructure-GSDI).

The GeoDesk will function as an umbrella GIS organization within the LLDA. Its core group, composed of representatives from all of the agency's divisions, will manage all spatial projects. As a capacity-building exercise, the GeoDesk core group will be working on one of LLDA's Flagship Programs, the Environmental Users Fee System. Numerous workshops and discussions have held to the thorough evaluation of the system, and the identification of data-flow and system management problems.

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