National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria) Modernization Act
Filed on August 6, 2025, and referred to the Committees on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change; National Defense and Security, Peace, Unification and Reconciliation; and Finance; it has been pending in committee since then with no recorded action.
The bill addresses the need for updated geospatial information for national development and security.
The bill responds to the urgent need for modern geospatial information due to changing environmental and political conditions.
National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (Namria) Modernization Act
The bill aims to modernize the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) by enhancing its capabilities, acquiring new equipment, and improving geospatial services for national development.
Compared with current law:
NAMRIA operates with outdated equipment and limited capabilities.
NAMRIA will acquire state-of-the-art tools and restructure its manpower to enhance geospatial mapping services.
Geospatial data is not widely accessible to the public.
A system for public access to geospatial information will be developed.
Coordination among government agencies is inconsistent.
All agencies will be mandated to coordinate their geospatial activities with NAMRIA.
The NAMRIA Modernization Act aims to modernize the National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) by enhancing its capabilities, acquiring new equipment, and improving geospatial services for national development.
Source · full text✦ Dashed tags are AI-suggested nuance; solid tags follow the committee taxonomy.
Stalled: the bill has sat in committee for over two months with no action since its referral on September 1, 2025.
No floor deliberations yet — this measure has not reached plenary. Its committee-stage actions appear under Legislative history above.
Oftire of licenseeD TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session ) 25 AUG -6 A9:50 SENATE RECEIVED BY S. No. Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL MAPPING AND RESOURCE INFORMATION AUTHORITY (NAMRIA), PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES EXPLANATORY NOTE The National Mapping and Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) is the central mapping agency of the government and provides the geospatial information necessary for national development. Created under Executive Order No. 192, series of 1987, NAMRIA became the consolidated entity which integrated the functions and powers of the Natural Resources Management Center (NRMC), National Cartography Authority (NCA), the Bureau of Coast and Geodetic Survey, and the Land Classification Teams based at the then Bureau of Forest Development which provided the Department and the government with map-making services. Currently, NAMRIA produces topographic maps that are used as base maps for thematic maps like land cover, land condition, land classification, cadastral, among others. NAMRIA also produced the data used for the successful claim of the Extended Continental Shelf in the Philippine Rise region and the Arbitration concerning the Philippines and China in the West Philippine Sea. 1 Section 22 (a), EO 192, s. 1987.
However, the rapidly changing environment both physical and political necessitates updated and precise geospatial information. The modernization of NAMRIA is therefore crucial and urgent, and will benefit government agencies and their effective implementation of major projects. The Philippines' plan to acquire submarines should be preceded by an accurate sea bottom map. Otherwise, we are risking billions of worth of submarine to a disaster. Climate change mitigation programs specially for low lying areas, first and foremost, need up-to-date topographic maps and coastal maps. Geospatial information is also a prerequisite for enhanced digital and physical connectivity through infrastructure which links markets, connects urban centers to rural areas, and facilitates the movement of people. At the top of the National Security Interests and Goals as declared under the National Security Policy 2022-2028 is the National Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity. Geospatial information is the basic information needed for this. The modernization of NAMRIA is indeed critical for the cross-cutting strategies enumerated by the Philippine Development Plan that will serve as catalysts for positive economic, social, institutional, and environmental transformation. The immediate passage of this legislation is earnestly sought. MINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA
TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) First Regular Session AUG -6 A9:50 ) SENATE RECEN ID BY S. No. S90 Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE MODERNIZATION OF THE NATIONAL MAPPING AND RESOURCE INFORMATION AUTHORITY (NAMRIA), PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled: TITLE I TITLE AND DECLARATION OF POLICY
Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "National Mapping and
Resource Information Authority (NAMRIA) Modernization Act".
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - It is the policy of the State to ensure a free,
resilient, peaceful, and prosperous archipelagic and maritime nation, at peace with itself and its neighbors, enabled and protected by reliable defense and public safety systems. Towards this end, the State shall formulate and implement plans and programs to enhance and modernize the Philippine Government's geospatial mapping services by expanding the mandate and enhancing the capability of its central mapping agency to ensure its responsiveness to the changing needs of the nation.
Sec. 3. Objectives of the NAMRIA Modernization Program. - This Act is geared
towards helping achieve the vision of the Philippine Development Plan and the National Security Policy by:
a) Enhancing the present capability of NAMRIA to conduct geospatial mapping activities through acquisition of state-of-the-art tools and equipment including survey platforms and modern techniques; b) Strengthening the human resources of NAMRIA by restructuring and rightsizing the manpower of the agency and implementing training and capacity development programs; and c) Developing geospatially empowered citizens by creating a system of information sharing platform accessible to the public. TITLE II POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF NAMRIA
Sec. 4. Strengthening of the National Mapping and Resource Information
Authority (NAMRIA). - NAMRIA, created under EO 192, s. 1987, otherwise known as the "Providing for The Reorganization of the Department of Environment, Energy and Natural Resources, Renaming it as the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and for Other Purposes", shall exercise the following powers and functions: a) Serve as the central geospatial mapping agency of the Government of the Philippines providing geospatial mapping and related services which includes but not limited to data acquisition, data processing and databasing, production of charts and maps and other geospatial products, and publication of geospatial products; b) Serve as the official depository and distribution agency of all government geospatial data including the operation of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure; c) Serve as primary agency certifying geospatial information; d) Issue implementing rules and regulations, and prescribe standards in connection with hydrographic surveys and remote sensing activities; e) Issue implementing rules and regulations, and prescribe standards in connection with submission and distribution of geospatial data thru the Geoportal; f) Require developers in Philippine waters to submit the information for geospatial mapping purposes; and
9) Perform such other functions as the President may assign. TITLE III NAMRIA MODERNIZATION PROGRAM
Sec. 5. NAMRIA Modernization Program. - NAMRIA shall, in coordination with
the DENR, establish and implement the NAMRIA Modernization Program which shall be geared towards the enhancement of the capability of its personnel and acquisition of up-to-date survey equipment and geospatial instruments including softwares. The NAMRIA Modernization Program shall consist of the following components: a) Upgrading of Geospatial Information Services - The NAMRIA Modernization Program shall include the improvement of the delivery and implementation of open data policy in order that more citizens will benefit from geospatial data. b) Organizational Development and Manpower Restructuring - The NAMRIA Modernization Program shall develop NAMRIA into an efficient, responsive and modern geospatial agency. Within ninety (90) days from the promulgation of rules and regulations to implement this Act, NAMRIA shall recommend and submit to the Secretaries of the DENR and the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) the revised organizational structure and staffing pattern for officers and personnel of NAMRIA including its uniformed personnel. NAMRIA shall design and establish a qualifications upgrading program in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Civil Service Commission and other laws; c) Capability, Material, and Technology Development - Upon the effectivity of this Act, the existing equipment, instrument and services of NAMRIA shall be upgraded through the acquisition of new and modern equipment, vessels and vehicles: Provided, That the acquisition of new equipment shall be synchronized with the phase out of uneconomical and obsolete major equipment and systems in the NAMRIA inventory; d) NAMRIA Uniformed Service - The NAMRIA Modernization Program shall update and strengthen the structure of the NAMRIA Uniformed Service
and update its services to cater to the needs of other government agencies; and e) Human Resource Development - The modernization program shall include the development of a comprehensive training program for NAMRIA personnel including mandatory training for new entrants and newly- appointed personnel of NAMRIA.
Sec. 6. Submission to Congress. - Within one hundred eighty (180) days from
effectivity of this Act, NAMRIA shall, in consultation with the Secretaries of DENR, DBM and the Department of Finance (DOF), submit the NAMRIA Modernization 10 Program to Congress. It shall contain the following: a) Personnel strength and inventory of facilities and equipment; b) Modernization projects and activities to be undertaken and the particular component/s and corresponding objectives to which such projects relate to; c) Priorities, schedules and phases of implementation of modernization projects and activities; and d) Estimated average cost of each modernization project or activity to be undertaken. Thereafter, NAMRIA shall, through the DENR Secretary, submit to the Office of the President and Congress, an annual report containing the progress and status of the implementation of the NAMRIA Modernization Program, including the challenges encountered and recommended legislative interventions, when necessary.
Sec. 7. Multi-Year Contract and Other Contractual Arrangements. -
a) NAMRIA may enter into multi-year contracts or other contractual arrangements with local or foreign suppliers and contractors in the implementation of this Act, pursuant to the NAMRIA Modernization Program, projects and appropriations approved by Congress, subject to the approval of the President, the provisions of existing laws and regulations, including those of the Commission on Audit and under such terms and conditions most favorable to the government. b) For multi-year contracts, Congress shall, upon issuance of a multi-year obligational authority or contractual authority by the DBM, make the
corresponding appropriation for the ensuing fiscal years: Provided, That the NAMRIA and the DBM shall issue the implementing guidelines to ensure consistency with the NAMRIA Modernization Program and existing guidelines in the contracting of multi-year projects. c) The NAMRIA Administrator shall submit to Congress, through the Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Environment, Natural Resources and Climate Change and the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources, copies of these multi-year contracts and other arrangements to enable Congress to appropriate funds therefor.
Sec. 8. NAMRIA Modernization Trust Fund. - A trust fund shall be created to
11 be known as the NAMRIA Modernization Trust Fund. It shall be administered by the 12 Administrator of NAMRIA in accordance with existing government budgeting, accounting and auditing rules and regulations. The NAMRIA Modernization Trust Fund shall be used exclusively for the 15 implementation of the NAMRIA Modernization Program as provided for in this Act, 16 including all expenses necessary for the procurement of facilities, machineries, 17 equipment and services: Provided, That expenses chargeable against the trust fund 18 shall exclude salaries and allowances for NAMRIA personnel. The NAMRIA Modernization Trust Fund shall be sourced from the following: a) Appropriations for the NAMRIA Modernization Program as provided in
Section 12 of this Act;
b) Eighty percent (80%) share of the NAMRIA from all fees, and fines collected from sale of NAMRIA products and provision of services; c) Proceeds from the disposal of excess and uneconomically repairable equipment and other movable assets of NAMRIA; d) Funds from any budgetary surplus, as may be authorized by Congress; e) Loans, grants, bequests, or donations from local and foreign sources, specifically earmarked to be used for the NAMRIA Modernization Program; and f) All interest income that accrues to the trust fund. The amount allocated shall be released to the NAMRIA based on the objectives of the NAMRIA Modernization Program as provided for in this Act:
1 Provided, That the fund releases charged against the trust fund shall not be subject 2 to any ceiling by the DBM.
Sec. 9. Period of Implementation. - The NAMRIA Modernization Program shall
4 be implemented over a period of ten (10) years effective upon the date of the 5 approval of this Act: Provided, however, That payment for amortization of 6 outstanding multi-year contracts and obligations incurred under the modernization program may extend beyond this period.
Sec. 10. Coordination with Government Agencies. - All government agencies,
9 Local Government Units, State Universities and Colleges, Government Owned and 10 Controlled Corporations, and other Government Instrumentalities are mandated to coordinate their geospatial information activities with NAMRIA to avoid duplication of efforts and optimize the use of government resources.
Sec. 11. Appropriations. - The amount necessary to implement the provisions
of this Act shall be sourced from the NAMRIA Modernization Trust Fund as provided 15 in Section 8. In addition, the annual appropriations for the NAMRIA Modernization Program shall include the amount necessary to support the funding requirements for all modernization projects submitted to Congress. The funds to be appropriated to implement the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General Appropriations 20 Act under NAMRIA. TITLE IV FINAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 12. Implementing Rules and Regulations. - The DENR and NAMRIA shall,
in coordination with appropriate national agencies and other stakeholders, within ninety (90) days from the effectivity of this Act, promulgate the rules and regulations to effectively implement the provisions of this Act.
Sec. 13. Separability Clause. - If for any reason, any provision of this Act is
declared unconstitutional or invalid, such parts not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
Sec. 14. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, rules and
regulations and other issuances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
Sec. 15. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
2 publication in the Official Gazette or in any two (2) newspapers of general circulations. Approved,
Reproduced from the Senate document. The official PDF is the authoritative version.